Prosecutions and Seizures

Pacific Region (including Yukon)

CBSA makes its 6th significant cocaine seizure in a year

Surrey, B.C., March 15, 2007 - The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) announced today that its officers at the Pacific Highway border crossing have seized 116 kilograms (kg) of cocaine that was hidden in a shipment of lemons.

On January 16, 2007, officers became suspicious of a driver of a tractor-trailer, and he was referred for a secondary examination. While inspecting the cargo, which was listed as a shipment of fresh lemons from California, officers discovered several boxes actually contained bricks of cocaine. 

In total, CBSA officers found 100 bricks of cocaine. The driver was arrested by the CBSA and turned over to the RCMP, which continues to investigate this case. 

“This important seizure of cocaine is another example of the great work our law enforcement agencies are doing to keep drugs off our streets and out of our communities,” said Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day. “Canadians can be assured that our border services officers will continue to apprehend individuals who attempt to smuggle illegal substances into our country.”

This is the sixth significant cocaine seizure made by CBSA officers in the Pacific Highway District since February 2006. Previous seizures of cocaine included the following:

• February 8, 2006 - 76.78 kg (Commercial Operations)
• March 27, 2006 - 104.77 kg (Commercial Operations)
• June 3, 2006 - 67.53 kg (Commercial Operations)
• November 20, 2006 - 11.8 kg (Traffic Operations)
• December 7, 2006 - 46.9 kg (Huntingdon)

The Pacific Highway District includes the ports of Aldergrove, Boundary Bay, Douglas (Peace Arch), Huntingdon and Pacific Highway. 

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For media information:

CBSA Media Enquiries - Pacific Region