Prosecutions and Seizures

Niagara–Fort Erie Region

Weekend seizure nets over $325,000 of suspected cocaine at Queenston Bridge

Queenston, Ontario, September 2, 2010 – The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) announced today that its officers seized 2.5 kg of suspected cocaine with a street value of over $325,000, and a gun at Queenston Bridge this past weekend. Border services officers (BSOs) trained in examination and investigative techniques, including noting inconsistencies in verbal declarations, discovered the suspected cocaine and gun.

On Saturday, August 28, 2010, two residents from the Greater Toronto Area seeking re-entry to Canada presented at the Queenston Bridge. In secondary examination, the BSOs on duty, with the assistance of Detector Dog Ruben and his handler, located two large packages of suspected cocaine and a firearm during an examination of the vehicle. One male and one female face a number of drug and weapons-related charges. The weapons charges were laid by the Niagara Regional Police and additional drug charges are pending by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).

In an unrelated incident on August 28, 2010, an examination of a vehicle driven by a U.S. resident attempting to enter Canada at the Peace Bridge revealed one undeclared handgun and one large-capacity magazine in the glove box. Niagara Regional Police have charged the 25-year-old male from Ohio with a number of firearms-related charges.

The CBSA works closely with its law enforcement partners including the Niagara Regional Police and the RCMP. These seizures help deter the smuggling of illegal drugs and guns that undermines the safety of our communities and fuels organized crime.

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For media information

Jean D'Amelio Swyer
CBSA spokesperson
Canada Border Services Agency
905-354-2011
905-933-5463