Prosecutions and Seizures

Pacific Region

Seizure of suspected heroin at Vancouver International Airport

Vancouver, British Columbia, May 3, 2010 – The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) announced today that its officers at the Vancouver International Airport seized over two kilograms of suspected heroin worth over $800,000.

On April 22, 2010, CBSA officers referred a male traveller, on a flight from Germany, for a secondary examination. With the assistance of the X-ray machine, officers noted an anomaly in the luggage. Further examination revealed a false bottom containing a bag of white powder. The white powder is suspected heroin.

"At the Vancouver International Airport, and all ports of entry, the CBSA's officers remain vigilant in their responsibility to combat the importation of illegal drugs and their damaging effects on our citizens and communities," stated Sari Hellsten, District Director of the CBSA at Vancouver International Airport. "This is one more example of how the cooperative relationship between the CBSA and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) is successful in continuing to achieve this commitment."

Border services officers seized the drugs and arrested the individual for importing a controlled substance. The 32-year-old man and the suspected heroin were turned over to the RCMP.

"This case is one more example of the excellent inter-agency cooperation in Canada's law enforcement community," explains S/Sgt. Dave Goddard, RCMP Greater Vancouver Drug Section. "Through careful screening, targeted enforcement and intelligence-led policing, we are able to prevent harmful drugs from reaching Canadian streets and ruining lives."

In 2009, CBSA officers in the Pacific Region made over 2,800 drug seizures keeping more than 3,900 kilos of drugs off B.C. streets.

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For media information

Hannah R. Mahoney
Communications Advisor
CBSA Pacific Region
604-666-6084

S/Sgt. Dave Goddard
Media Relations Officer
RCMP Greater Vancouver Drug Section
778-571-7540

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