Calgary man charged with illegal importation of narcotic more dangerous than fentanyl

News Release

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) announced today details related to charges laid against a Calgary man for alleged importation of a narcotic. 

On June 27, 2016, CBSA officers at the Vancouver International Mail Centre intercepted 1 kg of carfentanil in a parcel originating from China destined to a Calgary address. The parcel was declared as printer accessories but upon inspecting the parcel a white substance was discovered. The CBSA lab analysis confirmed the substance was carfentanil.

CBSA officers turned the carfentanil over to RCMP “K” Division for investigation, who also engaged Calgary Police Service. The RCMP has since charged Joshua Wrenn, 24, of Calgary with one count of Importation of a Controlled Substance and one count of Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking a Controlled Substance pursuant to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

His first court appearance is in Calgary Provincial Court on October 19, 2016.

Quick Facts

• Carfentanil is 100 times more potent than fentanyl.
• This quantity of carfentanil could have produced more than 50 million doses.
• On October 22, 2015, CBSA officers in Edmonton intercepted 102 kg of N-phenethyl-4-piperidinone (NPP), a precursor chemical used in the production of fentanyl. This quantity would have produced over 38 million doses.

Quotes

“This sends a clear message to those who seek to use Canada's borders for illegal activity: CBSA officers will continue to be vigilant in preserving the integrity of our borders and ensuring the safety of our communities across Canada. It’s times like these when our partnerships and combined efforts truly make a difference.”

Roslyn H. MacVicar, Regional Director General, Pacific Region, CBSA

"It is hard to imagine what the impact could have been if even the smallest amounts of this drug were to have made its way to the street. The illicit drug trade remains a dynamic and lucrative criminal activity that spans borders throughout the world. The different ports of entry, airports, and rail and road networks are all essential links for the supply of drugs. This highlights that our enforcement partnership with CBSA is critical to the RCMP's efforts to combat illicit drugs and keep our communities safe from harm."

George Stephenson, Deputy Criminal Operations Officer, RCMP “K” Division 

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Contact
Canada Border Services Agency
PrairieMedia@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca
844-245-2272

Royal Canadian Mounted Police “K” Division
780-412-5260

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