The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) announced today that officers of the Air Cargo Operations at Vancouver International Airport seized 2.43 kilograms of suspected opium.
On April 1, 2015, CBSA officers examined a parcel arriving from Iran. According to the declaration form, the parcel contained candy. The X-ray images of the shipment presented some anomalies. When officers opened the boxes, they found bags of pasta and detected an earthy odour. Once the bags of pasta were unpacked, officers discovered a dark tar-like substance wrapped in cellophane concealed within the food products. Initial tests indicated the presence of suspected opium. The narcotics were seized and transferred to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).
Richmond RCMP Airport Detachment assisted the CBSA to advance this investigation leading to the arrest of a Vancouver male in his 50s.
Anyone with information about suspicious cross border activity is encouraged to call the CBSA Border Watch toll-free line at 1-888-502-9060.
Quick Facts
- At Air Cargo Operations, other recent drug seizures include opium concealed in an inflatable castle, cocaine in machine parts, and heroin in lamps.
- Throughout the Pacific Region in 2014, CBSA officers made nearly 2,218 drug seizures, effectively helping keep drugs off Canadian streets.
- The CBSA works with its law enforcement partners to prevent illegal drug smuggling, which endangers the safety of Canadian communities and generates profits for organized crime.
- This is a significant quantity of suspected opium. As a result of the work of our CBSA officers and RCMP partners, these narcotics will stay out of our communities.
Quotes
“This seizure is an excellent example of the outstanding work done by our officers. Stopping the smuggling of illegal drugs into Canada plays a big part in making our communities safer.”
Sari Hellsten, CBSA Director, Vancouver International Airport District.
Additional Links
For media information
CBSA Media Relations
Vancouver, B.C.
604-818-9701
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Photo caption:
Bags of pasta revealing a cellophane wrapped flat package of brown substance suspected to be opium.
