The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) announced today a significant seizure of more than 459 kg of suspected cocaine found hidden in a commercial cargo shipment at the Port of Halifax.
On October 29, 2014, border services officers in Halifax discovered the drugs while searching a Halifax-bound container from Argentina transiting through Panama. The shipping documents described the contents as 1,216 cases of alcohol. CBSA officers used a Large Scale Imaging device to X-ray the container and its contents.
After noting inconsistencies in the X-ray image, officers opened the container door and discovered eight large duffle bags. The container was immediately referred to the CBSA’s Container Examination Facility to be fully offloaded. Upon examination, officers discovered 400 bricks of suspected cocaine within the eight duffle bags, each brick weighing approximately 1 kg.
In total, 459.3 kg of suspected cocaine was seized. All evidence was turned over to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) for further investigation. The CBSA works closely with its domestic and international security partners to ensure the safety and security of Canada's border.
Quick Facts
- This is the second significant suspected-cocaine seizure in 2014 at the Port of Halifax.
- In May 2014, a significant seizure of more than 46 kg of cocaine was found hidden in a commercial cargo shipment at the Port of Halifax.
- If you have information about suspicious cross-border activity, please contact the CBSA Border Watch Toll-free Line at 1-888-502-9060.
Quotes
“Our border services officers’ vigilance, excellent intuition and experience are Canada’s first line of defence against narcotics smuggling. Drug seizures of this magnitude show that the CBSA is making a real difference in protecting Canadian communities.”
- Rick Patterson, Director, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia District, Atlantic Region
“The importation of illicit drugs like cocaine is driven by organized crime groups. By sharing intelligence and coordinating enforcement activities with our partners at the CBSA, the RCMP can investigate criminal groups and networks that are attempting to smuggle drugs into our country."
- Sgt. Keith MacKinnon, Federal Serious and Organized Crime Unit, RCMP
Associated Links
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Contacts
CBSA Atlantic Region Communications
902-426-0900
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RCMP Nova Scotia
Cst. Mark Skinner
Acting RCMP Provincial Media Relations Officer
Office: (902) 720-5652
Cell: (902) 222-0154
mark.skinner@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
