$2.86M in drugs found in recent bust by Canadian agents at Alberta border

Coutts border guards stopped almost $3 million worth of cocaine and methamphetamine from entering Canada from the United States on Dec. 24 and Jan. 18.

The Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) is touting two recent drug seizures at Alberta’s Coutts border crossing, saying $2.86-million worth of cocaine and methamphetamine was stopped.

The CBSA made the announcement on Tuesday, saying the illegal drugs were found inside two commercial trucks attempting to enter Canada from the United States on Dec. 24, 2024 and Jan. 18.

During the Christmas Eve seizure, officers found 186 kilograms (410 pounds) of methamphetamine worth $1.86 million in a truck destined for Calgary.

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The second incident saw another truck destined for Calgary searched by border agents, at which time they discovered several bricks of cocaine inside cardboard boxes.

The CBSA says 42 kilograms (92 pounds) of cocaine was seized in total, worth an estimated $1 million.

“These significant seizures are examples of the dedication and expertise of CBSA’s officers as they continue to work each and every day to prevent illegal drugs, like fentanyl, and contraband from breaching our borders,” said David McGuinty, Canada’s Minister of Public Safety, in a news release.

In both cases, the CBSA arrested the drivers, who were then transferred to the custody of the Alberta RCMP.

The CBSA says last year, officers in Alberta were responsible for seizing approximately 1,300 kilograms (2,866 pounds) of illegal narcotics, including 205 kilograms (452 pounds) of cocaine.