CBSA officers intercept cannabis being exported to the Caribbean

From: Canada Border Services Agency

News release

Two large cardboard boxes wrapped in blue plastic were examined by CBSA officers at the Port of Halifax. The boxes were found in a marine container destined for the Caribbean and contained 377 kg of suspected cannabis and 1 kg of suspected hashish (October 2023).

November 24, 2023                Halifax, Nova Scotia               Canada Border Services Agency

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is committed to stopping the illegal flow of cannabis through Canadian borders.  

In late October 2023, border services officers at the Port of Halifax, with assistance from CBSA intelligence officers, identified and examined a marine container of personal and household goods destined to be exported to the Caribbean.

During the examination, border services officers uncovered 765 packages of suspected cannabis and one package of suspected hashish concealed in two large cardboard boxes.   

A total of 377 kilograms of suspected cannabis and one kilogram of suspected hashish was seized by border services officers and turned over to the Nova Scotia Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). The investigation remains ongoing.

This follows a similar search announced in September 2023 where CBSA officers seized 165 kilograms of suspected cannabis being exported from Canada.

The CBSA is reminding Canadians that although cannabis has been legalized and regulated in Canada, importing or exporting it in any form, without a permit or exemption authorized by Health Canada, is a serious criminal offence subject to arrest and prosecution.

Cannabis: Don’t bring it in. Don’t take it out.

Additional multimedia

A total of 765 bags of suspected cannabis (377 kg total) seized by border services officers at the Port of Halifax in October 2023.

Quotes

“I am extremely proud of our officers for identifying and intercepting this illegal shipment of cannabis before it left Canada. This seizure is one more example of the work we do with our law enforcement partners, like the RCMP, to keep our borders secure.” 

Dominic Mallette, Acting Regional Director General, Canada Border Services Agency Atlantic Region

Quick facts

  • CBSA officers at the Port of Halifax are responsible for examining high-risk containers and cargo arriving and leaving Canada by sea.

  • Working closely with other law enforcement agencies, the CBSA uses data, intelligence, and risk indicators to identify illegal goods transiting the border. 

  • For the latest seizure statistics, visit Canada Border Services Agency seizures.

  • Learn more about cannabis at the border.

  • If you have information about suspicious cross-border activity, please contact the CBSA Border Watch toll-free line at 1-888-502-9060.

Contacts

Media Relations

Canada Border Services Agency

media@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca

Media Line:      1-877-761-5945 or 613-957-6500

Website:         www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca

Twitter:          @CanborderATL

Facebook:      CanBorder

Instagram:    @CanBorder

YouTube:       CanBorder

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