Prosecutions and Seizures

Pacific Region

Over 9 kg of cocaine seized at the Kingsgate Port of Entry

Vancouver, British Columbia, March 12, 2010 — The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) announced today that its officers seized over 9 kg of cocaine with an estimated street value of CAN$1,221,750.00 at the Kingsgate Port of Entry.

On March 6, 2010, a Canadian resident driving a tractor-trailer carrying rice flour from California was flagged for secondary examination. During an in-depth examination, CBSA officers noticed anomalies in the trailer which lead them to discover a backpack containing nine bricks of cocaine.

“I applaud the CBSA officers involved in this significant seizure of illegal drugs," said the Honourable Vic Toews, Minister of Public Safety. "Seizures such as this are a clear sign that our efforts to keep illegal drugs out of our communities are working."

CBSA officers arrested the 45-year-old male driver and seized the tractor-trailer under the Customs Act.

The subject and cocaine were turned over to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The investigation is ongoing.

“This seizure is an excellent example of the diligence of border services officers in the detection and seizure of illegal drugs at our borders and their commitment to protect Canadians and their communities from these dangerous substances,” said Bill Anderson, District Director, Okanagan and Kootenay. “We will continue to work with the RCMP and other law enforcement agencies in our determination to prevent this type of activity from compromising the safety and security of Canadians.”

Border services officers play a vital role in the interception of illegal drugs at Canadian ports of entry. Last year, border services officers made over 150 drug seizures in the Okanagan and Kootenay district and over 2,800 drug seizures in the Pacific Region. These seizures kept more than 3,900 kg of drugs off British Columbia's streets.

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Photos are available upon request.

For more information:
Hannah Mahoney
Communications Advisor
604-666-6084