THE Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) announced on Monday the results of a two-year long investigation leading to the conviction of a Toronto area man, Rahu Sinnathamby of Scarborough, and Lovely Gold Inc. 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.
In October 2018, as a result of evidence obtained through further investigation, CBSA criminal investigators determined that Lovely Gold Inc. and its director, 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, at the A. Grenville and William Davis Courthouse in Brampton, Ontario, Lovely Gold Inc. and Sinnathamby pleaded guilty to two counts each of evasion of duties, with a total criminal fine for the four charges equalling $760,000. Lovely Gold Inc. and Sinnathamby are also required to pay an additional $246,614.40 in regulatory penalties.
“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,” said Lisa Janes, CBSA Regional Director General, Greater Toronto Area Region.
If you have information about the exploitation of the border for criminality, call the CBSA Border Watch Toll-free Line at 1-888-502-9060.
