Customs and Excise (C&E) Program

Federal and International Operations >

Director’s Message

Welcome to the RCMP’s Customs and Excise Web page.

The origin of our C&E Program can be traced back to the creation of the Force itself. When the North West Mounted Police (NWMP) was established in 1873, it was mandated to patrol the frontier, suppress the whisky trade, collect customs, establish friendly relations with aboriginal communities, and maintain law and order. Over the next century the Force’s customs and excise mandate continued to evolve. During the gold rush, we operated customs checkpoints for people and goods crossing the Canada-Alaska border on the overland route to the Klondike. Following the outbreak of WWI, a system of border patrols along the Canada-US border between Ontario and British Columbia was instituted to prevent pro-German elements located in the US from entering Canada.

Years later, in support of the government’s prohibition policy, a significant part of the Force’s operations focused on disrupting liquor smuggling rings. When the duties of the Preventive Service of the Department of National Revenue were transferred to the RCMP in 1932, we established an air-land-sea patrol to curtail smuggling. Decades later, the C&E Program received a considerable boost of resources when the Anti-Smuggling Initiative (ASI) was introduced in 1994 to combat organized criminal smuggling groups.

While we have a long and proud history, our operations must continue to evolve to tackle increasingly complex mandate investigations. We must also ensure that our program resources are focused on the following operational priorities:

• Illicit Tobacco - The illicit tobacco trade is a global phenomenon that contributes to the growth of transnational organized crime and undermines public health objectives. In Canada, current trends are a cause for concern. In 2006, the RCMP seized 472,268 cartons of cigarettes across Canada - 3.5% higher than in 1994 when RCMP seizures peaked during the cigarette smuggling heyday. In addition, 2006 seizure levels increased 1600% since 2001. In the face of this growing threat, a renewed national tobacco strategy will be developed in consultation with relevant stakeholders. Efforts will also be undertaken to develop innovative operational responses to stop the flow of contraband tobacco entering Canada in the Central St Lawrence Valley corridor.
  
  
• Firearms Smuggling - In Canada, the illicit firearms market is supplied primarily by smuggled firearms, particularly handguns, from the United States or those stolen domestically. While the actual number of firearms smuggled into Canada is unknown, the consequences for Canadian society are unmistakable. According to Statistics Canada, in 2005, the national homicide rate increased for the second consecutive year, following a 30-year decline. Most of this increase is linked to gang-related homicides, two-thirds of which involved a firearm, usually a handgun. We must continue to work diligently with our partners to target firearms smuggling networks.
  
  
• Weapons of Mass Destruction (Strategic Goods ) - Weapons of mass destruction, their delivery systems and their components pose a growing and serious threat to international peace and security. In response to this global threat, we will increase our contribution to multi-lateral counter-proliferation efforts (Missile Technology Control Regime and Proliferation Security Initiative) in partnership with other federal departments and agencies. Moreover, with a view to increasing our operational expertise and readiness, we will be exploring the possibility of establishing Strategic Goods Units in key locations across Canada and seeking opportunities to expand cooperation and coordination with our US and domestic partners.

Our ability to effectively identify criminal organizations and their vulnerabilities, leverage domestic and international partnerships, and engage affected communities will dictate program success.

Thank you for taking the time to visit the C&E Program. You are encouraged to explore the entire website for additional program information and links.

Sincerely,

Supt. Joe Oliver
Director of Customs and Excise