Thousands of litres of precursor chemicals from China seized at B.C. border: officials

This close-up of an image provided by the Canada Border Services Agency shows containers seized at the B.C. border in May of 2025.

Border officials in B.C. seized thousands of litres of chemicals used to produce fentanyl and GHB from two containers shipped to Canada from China.

The Canada Border Services Agency announced the seizure, which happened in May at the Tsawwassen Container Examination Facility, on Thursday.

“CBSA border services officers examined two marine containers from China that were both destined for Calgary, Alberta,” a news release from the federal agency said.

“The containers were flagged and referred to border services officers by CBSA intelligence personnel in the Pacific Region and from the National Targeting Centre. Within the containers, CBSA officers found 60 clear jugs and 20 blue drums.”

The chemicals seized included 3,600 litres of 1,4-Butanediol, a GHB precursor, and 500 litres of Propionyl Chloride, a fentanyl precursor.

“We will continue to work closely with the RCMP to target those who attempt to smuggle fentanyl and other dangerous substances into Canada,” said Nina Patel, the CBSA’s regional director general for the Pacific region, in the statement.

The investigation is ongoing, according to the CBSA.