PIGEON RIVER – Crimebeat – Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers have seized a total of 14.055 kg of suspected cocaine, with an estimated street value of $1,756,875 and 1.24 kg of suspected heroin valued at $496,000. On September 22, 2012, CBSA officers intercepted a truck suspected of being used to smuggle drugs into Canada. Based on a number of indicators, officers undertook a more in-depth examination of the vehicle. Officers discovered a section of the vehicle that housed a concealed compartment. Further investigation confirmed the presence of suspected cocaine and heroin inside the concealed compartment.
“This seizure is an excellent example of the outstanding work done by our officers,” said Tuula Schuler, District Director of the CBSA’s Northwestern Ontario District. “Stopping the smuggling of illegal drugs at our borders plays a big part in making our communities safer and preventing illegal activities that generate profits for organized crime.”
The driver, a Windsor, Ontario resident, has been charged with two counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking under section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and two counts of Importation of a Controlled Substance under section 6(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. He appeared in a Thunder Bay court on the charges on September 26, 2012.
Anyone with information about suspicious cross-border activity is encouraged to call the CBSA Border Watch toll-free line at 1-888-502-9060.