Six Canada Border Services Agency officer armed with sheriff like badges strapped around their necks plainclothes police officer style attempted to burst into my home today without a warrant. I refused to let them in. I don’t care who, what agency, or what you’re looking for, if you’re wearing a badge, you’re not welcome in my home without a warrant. Let’s go one step further, I’m not going to answer your questions either.
Plenty of people have expressed alarm or disbelief they were immigration officers, but I had a legal professional who works in refugee law give them a call and inquire. He does this on behalf of refugee claimants daily, today was the first time he used his legal skills for a cannabis champion of the world. He confirmed they were at my address and explained my delicate situation. I emailed my criminal attorney Paul Lewin to give him a heads up. The cannabis champion is lawyered up baby!
This is how my encounter with CBSA went down because it felt very much like a police raid.
Agent with a badge on his neck banging on the back door. “Can you let me in I’m a federal immigration officer?”
Me seeing a cop through the window. “Not without a warrant.”
Agent perplexed, “I’m not a cop.”
Me, “You’re wearing a badge.”
Agent, “This isn’t about you.”
Me, “Then I don’t need to let you in and I don’t need to answer your questions.”
Getting all flustered, but getting all the more tougher talking. “I’m a federal immigration agent.”
Me, “I’m Matt Mernagh. M-E-R-N-A-G-H. Do you have a business card for my lawyer?”
Angered agent, “Are you going to let me in?”
Me, “Do you have a warrant or a business card.”
Agent, “No.”
Me, “Well you’re acting all cop like and I’d appreciate if you speak to my lawyer Paul Lewin. L-E-W-I-N.”
Agent, “Why do you have lawyer. People don’t just have lawyers. Do you have warrants?”
Me, “Why don’t you CPIC (Canadian Police Intelligent Center) me and find out who I am.”
At this point I reached for my HTC Sensation to get Lewin’s phone number. Guess they thought I was going for the camera because they beat a hasty retreat before I could take photos. My whiteness, legal knowledge and super phone foiled their efforts at an unlawful entry. It’s easy to see this duo shaking down legal and illegal Toronto residents, who just don’t know better.In fact they admitted later on the phone having no problems forcing their way into people’s home. I’m kind of shaken up by it.
After smoking a joint of UK Cheese I went out to grab my morning coffee. On my way home I spotted a Ford Fusion with heavy tinted windows skulking about Pimp Pot Palace. Well, I figured, better get some photographic evidence. That’s when they speed off. Parked again. So I shooed them away.
No One Is Illegal Toronto chapter had a postering campaign in my hood warning of these tactics. Explaining in several languages that these agents are not police nor do you have to stop to talk them. I’m not going to let someone I don’t know into my home and neither should you!
After my immigration lawyer buddy straightened them out, I spoke with the supervisor who said they weren’t looking for medical marijuana. My meds are easily in the open and I believe they would have called Toronto Police Service given their cop routine. I asked them who lets strangers into their home early in the morning? The Canadian Border Services Agency officer told me flat out everyone. Only people who have something to hide don’t let them in, he said.
We really need to change this attitude. I’d recommend all Canadians, especially with the Conservative creeps in office, not to let anyone they don’t know into their home. Don’t be bullied into anything. It’s difficult not to feel intimidated. I never figured I’d experience an actual immigration raid, but today I have. Yet another weird and crazy episode in the life of matt mernagh.