U.S. border agency concludes investigation into Kelowna woman’s allegations

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) says they have finished their investigation into allegations made by a Kelowna woman against their officers and have since released a statement on their findings.

Because of media attention, CBP was alerted to allegations that on May 14, a Kelowna woman was subjected to an improper strip search and internal body cavity search by officers at the Port of Roosville, Montana.

According to the woman, she described the alleged incident to an RCMP officer once she got back to Canada.

CBP management reports they have made numerous attempts to contact the woman to help her file a formal complaint. To date, she declined contact with them.

According to CBP, their Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) conducted an investigation into the allegations. OPR tried to get a statement from the woman, but said through her attorney she declined to provide a statement.

“OPR has conducted a careful review of the extensive video surveillance records from (the woman’s) inspection,” CBP spokesperson Jason Givens said. “They have conducted numerous investigative interviews and records reviews at the Port of Roosville.

“OPR has been unable to identify any evidence that corroborates the allegation that (she) was the subject of either a strip search or an internal body cavity search at the port. OPR determined that a number of the facts reported in the media relative to the allegation were inconsistent with the evidence gathered.”

Givens said OPR has stated that they will consider re-opening its investigation if new evidence is presented.

KelownaNow contacted the woman who made the claims but she would not give a comment on the CBP's findings.