The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) announced a significant suspected drug seizure and arrest at the Pacific Highway, British Columbia port of entry.
On August 12, 2020, CBSA officers at Pacific Highway referred a commercial driver for further inspection. After X-ray imaging of the tractor and trailer revealed anomalies, officers continued their examination and located seven boxes of suspected dried opium poppy plants (including the pods), weighing 29 kg total.
Daniela Evans, Director of Pacific Highway District, Canada Border Services Agency says “Opium poppy is the source of all natural opioids, including doda, a highly-addictive street drug made from dried pods and husks. The CBSA conducts risk-based screening at the border and works with the RCMP to protect Canadians from all forms of drug smuggling.”
Officers arrested the driver and turned them, along with the suspected opium poppy plants, over to the RCMP Federal Serious and Organized Crime Unit.
The driver was released pending a further ongoing investigation.
The CBSA estimates the value of the suspected opium poppy plants at $58,000.
