The appellants crossed the Canada-U.S. border at an uncontrolled point of entry.
An RCMP officer received a radio report of the crossing and stopped the appellants' truck a few kilometres away.
The officer questioned the driver, who admitted to carrying whisky, and a subsequent search revealed liquor.
The appellants were charged with customs offences.
The trial judge acquitted them, finding the stop arbitrary and excluding the evidence under the Charter.
The Court of Appeal ordered a new trial, finding the stop authorized by the Customs Act.
The Supreme Court of Canada dismissed the appeal, holding that the officer had reasonable grounds to suspect a contravention of the Customs Act based on the totality of the circumstances, and therefore the detention and search did not violate the Charter.
