DELTA, B.C. (Rajeev Sharma): In a major blow to international drug trafficking networks, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has seized more than 520 kilograms of opium hidden inside industrial paper rolls at the Tsawwassen Container Examination Facility in Delta, British Columbia.
The massive drug haul was uncovered after intelligence gathered by the CBSA’s National Targeting Centre, Pacific Regional Intelligence Section, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) identified a suspicious marine shipping container. When the shipment arrived for inspection, CBSA detector dog teams alerted officers to the possible presence of narcotics. A subsequent X-ray examination revealed abnormalities inside several large industrial paper rolls. During a detailed inspection, border officers discovered opium expertly concealed within 10 of the 20 paper rolls being transported in the container. Authorities seized a total of 520.6 kilograms of opium, preventing a significant quantity of illegal drugs from reaching Canadian streets.
Officials say the seizure demonstrates the increasingly sophisticated methods used by organized crime groups to smuggle narcotics across international borders. By concealing the drugs deep inside commercial cargo, traffickers attempted to evade detection and exploit legitimate trade routes. Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree praised the operation, calling it a significant victory against organized crime and drug trafficking. “This seizure of more than half a tonne of opium is the result of strong collaboration and intelligence sharing between Canadian and U.S. partners. CBSA officers continue to play a critical role in protecting our communities and disrupting criminal organizations,” he said.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have not disclosed the origin of the shipment or whether any arrests have been made. Law enforcement agencies are now working to identify those responsible and determine the intended destination of the drugs.
The seizure highlights the critical role of border enforcement agencies in combating the flow of illegal narcotics and protecting Canadians from the devastating impacts of drug trafficking and organized crime.
