It’s been a common refrain in B.C. for some time now, don’t bring cannabis across the border.

While that sounds like a simple warning, statistics show that cannabis confiscation jumped over 60% in the first six weeks after legalization in Canada last October.

The border agency says there were 329 instances of cannabis either being seized by, or forfeited to, Canadian border officers from Oct. 17 to Nov. 30 of last year.

That compares to 204 such confiscations in the same period of 2017.

Despite being legal in Canada and bordering American state Washington, taking pot across Canada’s international borders remains illegal and can result in serious criminal penalties.

In the weeks before legalization, the border agency advised the public that officers would be asking visitors and returning Canadians whether they have any cannabis with them. They hoped the question would reduce the risk of unintentional violations of the law.

If you are carrying pot when you enter Canada, it must be declared to the border agency. Otherwise, you may face arrest and prosecution, the agency says.

With files from the Canadian Press.