A12 - The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, February 21, 1996 Feds tighten Stewart border | Congratulations! Erwins Jewellers would like to congratulate the grand prize winners of one carat diamond rings in theie annual diamond days promotion, held in Terrace and in Kitimat. IT MAY be the world's longest undefended border but the seclion between tiny Stewart, B.C, and even tinier Hyder, Alaska is a lite too open for the federal government’s liking. So for the past year federal customs and immigration of- ficials and the RCMP have stepped up their checks of people crossing back and forth between the two places. And what they’re finding is a lot of people bringing goods, particularly tobacco and alcohol, into Canada withoat paying duty. It’s been a long standing problem for the federal govern- ment which docsn’t have a checkpoint on the road separat- ing the Wo communitics, — The open border is a popular attraction in the summer for northweslemers and tourists and there’s even a brisk trade in Canadians bringing back fireworks bought in Hyder. But now Canada Customs has installed a toll-free phone outside of the Stewart RCMP detachment. That means every time a Canadian crosses back into Canada from Hyder he or she is required to phone in, says the region’s top Canada Customs official. “You've got to report in whelber you’ve bought any- thing or nol,” says Barry McKee. ‘‘There’s a sign going up (at the border) to tell people where the telephone is.’’ The phone rings through to a Canada Customs post at Beaver Creck, on the border between the Yukon and Alaska, The answering Customs official will then take down relevant information. McKee said the idea is to have border crossers follow the same rules as if they were going through a manned Customs point, ‘We found a rather high Ievel of non compliance,” he said of the checks undertaken in the last year. “Were trying to curb the flow (of alcohol and tobacco).”” Stewart RCMP officers have developed a sub-specialty in checking people and vehicles for illicit goods. They regularly seize tobacco and alcohol products, as- sessing fines and penalties under {ederal excise and duty ai = regulations. BR gals ei Hyder retailers can seil as many goods as they wantand = TS THE LAW. Canadians are now required to report in when crossing back from _ it’s up to.the buyers to report their purchases to Canadian Hyder, Alaska, to Stewart. But because there isn't a manned customs post, a ort Parr presents Mrs. Jass? Dhaliwal of Kitimat with ber one carat diamond ring. Zori Parr presents Bev Stevens of Kitimat with her one carat diamond ring. The management and staff at Erwins Jewellers would like to take this oppoctinily to thank everyone who entered the “Diamond Day's" contest. $3 ERWIN’ officials when crossing back into Canada. phone has been installed at the Stewart RCMP detachment. That's Constable TERRACE ree GRE ORT) Fed Ss ti ghten Stewart bo rder Dave Smith with some seizures of alcohol and tobacco. (FILE PHOTO) 635-5111 635-7440 632-3313 . B15 It's your British Columbia Ford and Mereury Dealers VU tenaisitee GO F-Series [Reg. Cabs) Escort Standard V6 engine Ford's hard working . One of North America’s best-selling und the best head-on | F-150 pickup is small cars with three models protection of any the best-selling truck atone low price! minivan! in North America. ath FORD BRITISH COLUMBIA iin FORD & MERCURY DEALERS "5.9% financing on all new 1996 and prior Windstar, Escort and new selected 1996 and prior F-Series (Regular Cab, Non-Diesel) for up to. a maximum of 48 months an approved credit. Down payment may be required. E.g. $20,000 financed at 5.9% Annual Percentage Rate for 48 months, monthly payment is $468.78, cost of borrowing is $2501.44 and total fo be repaid is $22, 501.44. Licence, tax and insurance extra. Limited time offer. Dealers may sell for fess, See dealer for details.