CBSA Calgary Operations reflect on 2017

As 2017 draws to a close, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is highlighting top stories from its border operations in Calgary.

Opium tennis balls
In September, CBSA officers at YYC Calgary International Airport served up a seizure to a traveller who was in possession of tennis balls stuffed with suspected opium. Upon examination of the traveller’s belongings, officers noted inconsistencies with the tennis balls and upon peeling back the outer layer observed a black tar-like substance concealed inside. In total, the 14 tennis balls found in the traveller’s belongings contained 3.3 kg of suspected opium. The traveller and the suspected opium were turned over to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).

GBL Commercial Seizure
Between October 16 and October 20, officers at Calgary Air Cargo Operations intercepted three separate shipments of a clear colourless, odourless liquid. This liquid was tested and determined to be Gamma-butyrolactone, also known as GBL which is a precursor chemical used in the production of the date rape drug or gamma-Hydroxybutyric acid (GHB). In total 17.28 litres of GBL were seized. This quantity of GBL could have produced 29,000 doses of GHB.

Charges laid in significant phenacetin case
On April 26, 2017, CBSA participated in a joint news conference with Calgary Police Service (CPS) to announce charges laid against two Calgary residents, in what police called a record seizure of phenacetin. This case began in July 2016 at the Vancouver International Mail Centre (VIMC), when CBSA officers seized three 25 kg drums of a powdery substance destined for a Calgary residence. The first package was received on July 25, and was sent to the lab subsequently after. The shipment originated from Hong Kong and destined for a Calgary residence. This white powder was determined to be phenacetin. CBSA in Calgary began to investigate further along with the Calgary Police Service and leading to charges being laid.