A substantial amount of harmful narcotics won’t make it to Canadian streets as a result of two opium seizures made by Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers at the Port of Halifax in Nova Scotia.
These seizures were initiated by examination referrals from the CBSA National Targeting Centre (NTC).
On November 18, 2021, border services officers at the Halifax Container Examination Facility located over 65 kilograms of opium during an extensive search of shipping containers.
Using a wide range of detection tools and technology, the search revealed 84 packages of opium concealed within a single shipping container that arrived from the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Seven weeks later on January 7, 2022, CBSA officers at the same facility detected an additional 31 kilograms of opium in 14 packages within another shipping container that also arrived from the UAE.
These seizures were based on information and risk indicators gathered by the NTC and shared with the marine port of entry before the containers arrived in Canada.
The NTC identifies people and goods bound for Canada that may pose a threat to the security and safety of the country and refers higher risk shipments for further examination.
The examinations and seizures were led by the CBSA Atlantic Region’s Container Examination Team, with assistance from the Waterfront Cargo Inspection Unit and Marine Enforcement Team.
These teams are responsible for examining containers, vehicles, cargo, vessels and people arriving in Canada by sea via the Port of Halifax.
Laboratory testing has confirmed the substances to be opium. On the illicit drug market, opium is often chemically processed into highly addictive heroin and other harmful synthetic opioids.
In both instances, the narcotics were transferred to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) for further investigation.
The CBSA and RCMP regularly collaborate on investigations to prevent illegal drug smuggling and organized crime from threatening the safety and economy of our communities.
In 2021, the CBSA seized over 1,206 kg of opium across the country.