Prosecutions and Seizures

Greater Toronto Region

CBSA finds 10 kilos of suspected opium concealed in steel gear

Mississauga, Ontario, February 24, 2012 – The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) today announced the seizure of 10 kilos of suspected opium, with an estimated value of $600,000, at Toronto Pearson International Airport, Air Cargo. This is the second seizure of suspected opium concealed in car parts for the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) this year.

On January 7, 2012, border services officers identified a suspicious cargo shipment off a flight from Iraq that was declared as spare car parts. The border services officers observed that the centre of a steel gear could be accessed and was not consistent with commercially manufactured machine parts. With the assistance of a detector dog it was determined that suspected opium was concealed in the steel gear.

"This is yet another seizure by our border services officers where their training and experience has led them to intercept narcotics, even when the most unusual and sophisticated concealment methods are used," said Goran Vragovic, Regional Director General of the GTA Region. "I want to congratulate the officers involved in this seizure and ensure that the CBSA will continue to keep up with concealment methods to prevent the smuggling of drugs at our entry points."

In 2011, CBSA officers at the GTA airports, postal and cargo processing facilities, seized 73 kilos of opium with a value exceeding $4.3 million.

The CBSA works to prevent drugs and other contraband from entering Canada. If you have witnessed or are aware of an incident involving suspicious cross-border activity, please contact the CBSA Border Watch Toll-free Line at 1-888-502-9060.

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For media information
GTA Media Relations
Canada Border Services Agency
905-803-2800

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