Sniffer dogs with Canada Border Services Agency discovered 150 kilograms of opium inside a shipping container at a Burnaby examination facility last month.
The shipment was identified for examination by a 24/7 CBSA unit responsible for "targeting analytics and pre-arrival risk assessments" for all passengers and commercial goods entering Canada, according to a border services news release.
On Aug. 15, CBSA officers and a detector dog service team at the Burnaby container examination facility found the 150 kg of opium concealed within the interior structure of a piece of steel machinery, the release said.
The opium was seized and police are now investigating.
Later in the month, on Aug. 28, CBSA officers and dogs at the Tsawwassen examination facility found another 46 kg of opium inside a piece of furniture.
"Our Agency is proud to have prevented nearly 200 kg of opium from entering Canada,” CBSA regional director Nina Patel said in the release. “These seizures demonstrate the diligence and detection capabilities of our border services officers and the important role of our intelligence operations in keeping these harmful drugs out of our communities."
CBSA's Metro Vancouver marine operations work to intercept contraband in the Pacific Region by clearing and examining marine commercial goods that arrive by sea container and vessel.
The services intelligence section works to identify, investigate and prosecute individuals and entities connected to organized crime, drug smuggling and other violations of the Customs Act and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
Anyone with information about suspicious cross-border activity, is encouraged to contact the CBSA border watch toll-free line at 1-888-502-9060.
For the latest seizure statistics, visit Canada Border Services Agency seizures.
