Alaskan arrested at southern British Columbia border for smuggling weapons into Canada, officials say

A 33-year-old Alaskan was charged this week with smuggling weapons into Canada after border officials in British Columbia seized 14 firearms including semiautomatic rifles, authorities announced Friday.

Corey Scott Kettering was arrested and released on an undertaking -- the equivalent of a court summons -- following “an incident” at the Abbotsford-Huntingdon port of entry east of Vancouver in late July, according to a release from the Canada Border Services Agency.

Citing the ongoing investigation, an agency spokesman declined to provide additional details about the encounter, or say whether Kettering was actively concealing the weapons or failed to declare them.

Seized weapons included four semiautomatic rifles and three handguns, all prohibited in Canada. Also seized were a restricted handgun and six nonrestricted long guns, the agency said.

Kettering could not be contacted for comment Friday. His hometown in Alaska wasn’t immediately known.

Last fiscal year, the CBSA seized 753 firearms across Canada, said agency spokesman Luke Reimer. “This is certainly a significant seizure.”

He said the agency encourages travelers to “leave their firearms at home” when entering Canada. Otherwise weapons need to be declared at the first border crossing encountered and must meet Canadian weapons regulations.

Kettering is scheduled to appear in Abbotsford Provincial Court on Monday to face charges of smuggling, making false or deceptive statements, possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm with ammunition, and unauthorized possession of a firearm.

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