Three U.S. residents have learned over the past couple of months just how difficult it is to get firearms from Alaska into the Yukon, with a number of firearms charges being laid.

In a statement released Good Friday, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) said it was "highly successful in halting a series of weapons-related smuggling attempts at the Beaver Creek boarder crossing, one of Canada's northernmost ports of entry between the Yukon Territory and the United States.”

On March 1, a resident of Alaska attempted to enter the border at Beaver Creek and failed to declare several firearms in his possession. They were discovered during an in-depth secondary examination, the CBSA said.

Wayne Robert Eckler is facing charges of the unauthorized possession of a firearm and possession of a prohibited firearm with ammunition.

Fewer than two weeks before that, on Feb. 15, border guards seized firearms when a U.S. resident seeking entry into Canada failed to declare a handgun, loaded assault rifle and empty 30-round magazine, the CBSA said.

Roger Allen Marden has been charged with two counts of smuggling, two counts of possession of a prohibited weapon and one count of possession of a prohibited weapon.

Also on Feb. 24, border guards referred a U.S. resident who had declared three non-restricted firearms for a secondary vehicle examination to verify his declaration.

There, officers found ammunition and magazines for a handgun.

Under further questioning and examination, a handgun, assault rifle and 79 prohibited magazines were found.

Philip Plemons is facing nine firearms-related smuggling charges.

"Every day, border services officers in remote border crossings work extremely hard to safeguard the safety and security of Canadians,” said Trevor Baird, chief of operations for the CBSA in Whitehorse.

"In a small community such as Beaver Creek, we are protecting those Canadians who are our friends, families and members of the community we often know by name.

"We take great pride in situations such as these, where we have made a real difference in the communities that we serve.”

The CBSA said it welcomes tips on any suspicious cross-border activity at 1-888-502-9060.

Canadian firearm laws are clear, the CBSA pointed out.

Everyone, including Canadians, must declare all firearms and weapons in their possession when they enter Canada.

The failure to declare goods, including firearms, and other Customs Act contraventions may lead to prosecution.

"Restricted firearms and prohibited weapons are high-risk commodities and their interdiction is a CBSA enforcement priority,” the agency said.

"When border services officers find undeclared and/or restricted/prohibited firearms or weapons, they are seized under the authority of the Customs Act.

Its officers play an essential role in intercepting prohibited weapons and other contraband, the CBSA said.