CBSA investigation leads to conviction of jewellery smuggler
TDS News – Today the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) announced the results of a two-year long investigation leading to the conviction of a Toronto area man, and corporation, for smuggling gold jewellery into Canada.
In early 2018, border services officers working at Toronto Pearson International Airport seized a large quantity of jewellery from a returning traveller. The seizure initiated an investigation by the Greater Toronto Area Region Criminal Investigations Section, which subsequently identified a jewellery smuggling operation. In July 2018, the investigation identified a link to a separate traveller attempting to smuggle an even greater quantity of jewellery into Canada.
“This successful prosecution highlights the tireless work and great investigative efforts of both CBSA border services officers and our criminal investigations team. The discovery of this jewellery smuggling scheme demonstrates our commitment to ensuring the integrity of Canada’s border laws and economy.” – Lisa Janes, CBSA Regional Director General, Greater Toronto Area Region.
In October 2018, as a result of evidence obtained through further investigation, CBSA criminal investigators determined that Lovely Gold Inc. and its director, Rahu Sinnathamby of Scarborough, schemed to enlist travellers to bring gold jewellery, such as earrings and bracelets, to Canada. Lovely Gold Inc. and Sinnathamby paid for the airline tickets of the travellers and directed them to not declare the jewellery to the CBSA. The investigation resulted in the discovery that Lovely Gold Inc. and Sinnathamby were responsible for smuggling jewellery into Canada over a period of 17 months.
On March 1, 2021, at the A. Grenville and William Davis Courthouse in Brampton, Ontario, Lovely Gold Inc. and Sinnathamby pleaded guilty to two counts each under the Customs Act, Section 153(c) – evasion of duties, with a total criminal fine for the four charges equalling $760,000.00. Lovely Gold Inc. and Sinnathamby are also required to pay an additional $246,614.40 in regulatory penalties.
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