12 firearms seized at Coutts border

On July 14, 2014, Donald Lloyd Hardinger, 49, of Vernal, Utah was arrested by CBSA officers after they seized the following seven firearms from his travel trailer: two non-restricted shotguns, three non-restricted rifles, one restricted semi-automatic rifle; and one restricted handgun, which was fully loaded. Hardinger was released on $6,000 recognizance until his first court appearance in Lethbridge Provincial Court on September 9, 2014.

On July 16, 2014, Christopher Michael Grosstephan, 33, of Colonial Beach, Virginia, was arrested by CBSA officers after they seized the following five firearms from his van: two non-restricted rifles; two restricted handguns; and one prohibited semi-automatic pistol, which was fully loaded and located next to the driver’s seat. Grosstephan was released on $6,000 recognizance until his first court appearance in Lethbridge Provincial Court on September 11, 2014.

“CBSA officers in the Prairie Region are relentless in their efforts to intercept firearms from being smuggled into Canada,” says Kim Scoville, Acting Regional Director General, CBSA Prairie Region. “Our goal will continue to be to target and disrupt smugglers in order to provide security to Canadians and to prevent these firearms from ending up in criminal hands.”