Prosecutions and Seizures

Atlantic Region

Canada Border Services Agency officers seize over $42 million worth of cocaine

RCMP arrest one person in joint investigation

Halifax, Nova Scotia, June 01, 2010 - The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) announced today that CBSA officers found and seized over 300 kilograms of cocaine at the Port of Halifax, Nova Scotia. The drugs have an estimated street value of over $42 million. An investigation by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in Halifax and Montréal led to one arrest.

"Once again, outstanding cooperation between the CBSA and RCMP has resulted in keeping these suspected illegal drugs off our streets, and out of our communities," said the Honourable Vic Toews, Canada’s Minister of Public Safety. "The tools our government is giving our law enforcement to help build stronger communities are working. I congratulate all those involved in this significant seizure."

On November 9, 2009, while conducting marine container examinations, CBSA officers discovered the drugs in a marine container that originated in Venezuela. With the assistance of x-ray technology, officers found 1,284 packages of suspected cocaine in 76 boxes of ceramic tiles in the 20-foot marine container. Each tile was covered with a fibre glass backing containing two packages of suspected cocaine in the hollowed portion of each tile. Each package weighed an average of 260 grams.

The National Ports Enforcement Team, composed of the CBSA, RCMP and Halifax Regional Police, worked jointly on this investigation over the past several months. Seizures like this demonstrate the effectiveness of law enforcement agencies working together in the fight against illegal drugs.

Photos of the seizure are available upon request.

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For media information:

Laurie Gillmore
CBSA Communications - Atlantic
Work: 902-426-0900
Cell: 902-802-1824

Sgt. Bridgit Leger
Media Relations Officer - RCMP H Division
Office: 902-426-5120
Cell: 902-222-0154