Three charged after forged passports seized at Peace Bridge crossing

Brent Jones
March 12, 2026 at 3:47 PM

Three Quebec residents are facing fraud-related charges after Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers seized forged passports and other suspected evidence of financial crimes at the Peace Bridge crossing in Fort Erie.

According to a joint news release issued Thursday by the CBSA and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), the investigation began when border officers referred three travellers to secondary inspection after they attempted to return to Canada.

The individuals had reportedly taken a wrong turn toward the bridge to the United States before returning to the Canadian port of entry.

During the secondary examination, and with assistance from a detector dog team, CBSA officers located six forged Canadian passports, equipment believed to be used to produce fraudulent documents and about $24,000 in Canadian and U.S. currency, according to the release.

Officers also seized 84 credit, debit and gift cards and drug paraphernalia.

The CBSA arrested the three individuals and turned the investigation over to the RCMP’s Niagara-on-the-Lake Border Integrity Unit.

The suspects–ages 51, 33 and 40–were charged by RCMP with several offences under the Criminal Code.

The charges include possession of forged passports, possession of credit and debit cards obtained through crime, and fraud over $5,000.

In the release, CBSA regional director general Michael Prosia said the seizure highlights the role of border officers in identifying suspected criminal activity at ports of entry.

“This seizure of fraudulent documents and the resulting arrest and charges demonstrate the crucial role of the CBSA in disrupting criminal activities and protecting Canadians,” Prosia said.

RCMP superintendent Dale Foote said the case also reflects cooperation between federal agencies.

“The interception of these forged documents and related materials underscores the critical role our agencies play in protecting Canada’s borders and safeguarding the integrity of our identification systems,” Foote said.

According to CBSA statistics cited in the release, detector dog teams carried out 29,486 searches in 2025, resulting in tens of thousands of seizures involving drugs, firearms, currency and other contraband.