$23-million cocaine bust at the Blue Water Bridge

Cocaine seized at the Blue Water Bridge. (Source: CBSA)

The Canada Border Services Agency announced the seizure of $23 million worth of cocaine at the Blue Water Bridge port of entry in Point Edward, Ont.

A commercial truck arrived from the United States at the Blue Water Bridge port of entry and was referred for a secondary examination on June 12.

During the inspection of the trailer, border services officers, with the assistance of a detector dog, discovered 161 bricks of suspected cocaine contained in six boxes, according to the CBSA. The total weight of the suspected narcotics was 187 kg, with an estimated street value of $23.3 million.

“This is the fourth time a significant amount of cocaine coming from the United States was seized at the Blue Water Bridge this year, demonstrating the excellent work being done by our border services officers and their effectiveness in safeguarding our borders,”said An Nguyen, director of St.Clair District Operations, CBSA.

The CBSA arrested Karamveer Singh, 27, of Brampton, Ont., and transferred him and the suspected narcotics to the custody of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). Singh has been charged by the RCMP with Importation of Cocaine, and Possession of Cocaine for the Purpose of Trafficking under the Controlled Drug and Substance Act.

“This seizure underscores the vital importance of cross-agency collaboration, and highlights the fantastic work by the CBSA and the Ontario RCMP in safeguarding Canadian communities from the smuggling of illicit narcotics into Canada,” said Supt. Dale Foote, Officer in Charge of RCMP Central Region Border Integrity.

The investigation is ongoing.

To date this year, border services officers have seized a total of 978 kg of cocaine at Southern Ontario ports of entry.