Canada Border Service Agency seizes over 1,400 kg of suspected cannabis

Amid Covid-19, the CBSA ensures the continuous flow of essential goods to Canada’s supply chain while at the same time addressing risks and threats in cross-border trade.

Reports said suspected cannabis estimated to be worth $10.8 million, set to be exported, was seized in two separate seizures by Commercial Operations Border Services Officers (BSO)s from locations in Brampton and Mississauga.

BSOs noticed anomalies in a load of over 5,400 kilograms of gardening mulch while examining shipments at a Brampton warehouse on May 22.

After more than nine hours of sifting through shipment, bound for the United States, more than 685 kilograms of suspected cannabis was discovered,

The value of the suspected cannabis was estimated by CBSA to be over $5,000,000.

In another separate incident during examination of an export shipment on May 28,  BSOs seized 800 kilograms of suspected cannabis concealed in plastic kitchen containers at a Mississauga warehouse when a detector dog alerted BSOs about the potential presence of narcotics on the shipment.

The suspected cannabis bound for the United States was estimated by the CBSA to be over $5,800,000.

All the seized cannabis was turned over to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).

Investigation of the case by the CBSA continues.

Under the Cannabis Act, it is illegal to import into Canada, or export from Canada, cannabis without the Government of Canada-issued valid permit.

The CBSA has seized more than 2,070 kilograms of cannabis during 2020 in the Greater Toronto Region.

Travelers, mail, courier, and commercial shipments are subject to the Customs Act and examined for prohibited goods, including cannabis.

CBSA asks anyone with information about the suspicious cross-border activity to call the CBSA Border Watch Toll-free Line at 1-888-502-9060.

(Reporting by Asha Bajaj)