An Oliver man with status Indian credentials is alleged to have attempted to smuggle weapons and ammunition across the border at Osoyoos last night, Feb. 1, 2017.

(STEVE ARSTAD / iNFOnews.ca)

OLIVER - An Oliver resident facing nine charges for allegedly bringing firearms across the Canada-U.S. border early this morning said he refuses to recognize Canadian law.

According to a bail hearing in Penticton Provincial Court today, Feb. 1, Alex Louie was crossing the border from the U.S. into Canada at the Osoyoos border crossing early this morning, Feb. 1, when he was arrested by Canadian border officials who say they found two firearms, including a Hi- Point CF 380 .38 calibre handgun, ammunition, pistol magazines and trigger locks in his vehicle.

The nine charges include importing a prohibited or restricted weapon, illegal importation of firearms, smuggling, possession of a restricted or prohibited weapon and making a false declaration.

Louie was crossing the border at 1:30 a.m. today when Canadian border officers flagged him as a person of interest, Federal Crown Prosecutor Ashleigh Baylis told court.

Showing a U.S. driver's license and his Canadian native status card, he told officials he did not have any weapons and that he was aware he was not to bring prohibited weapons into the country.

However, a secondary search triggered after Louie was flagged as a person of interest revealed a pistol magazine in the trunk with an American price tag, two trigger locks and two boxes of ammunition behind the dashboard of the Mazda Protege Louie was driving, Baylis said. They also allegedly found two handguns wired to the vehicle’s undercarriage.

Border officials detained Louie who repeatedly said he did not understand his rights, she said, saying “this was his land and if (they) wish to enforce their laws, this was a violation.”

The search of the vehicle also revealed a spool of wire similar to that used to fasten the handguns to the vehicle, with a receipt dating purchase from a Wenatchee store the day before.

Investigation also revealed the vehicle Louie was driving did not belong to him.

Louie, who represented himself in court, insisted to Judge Gregory Koturbash he didn’t recognize Canadian laws, refusing an opportunity to speak to counsel.

Calling the offences serious, Baylis asked for Louie’s detention because of the possibility of flight risk.

Louie is a status indian with the right to reside in either country, Baylis said, adding Louie has made it clear he has no intention of obeying Canadian laws.

Louie interrupted proceedings several times, at one point declaring, “As a beneficiary of this trust, I hereby charge to Crown five-hundred bucks an hour for the last 12 hours,” before being told by Judge Koturbash he would have his day in court.

The judge adjourned the hearing until tomorrow.

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News from © iNFOnews, 2017