Millions of dollars of cocaine seized by CBSA in Quebec

A CBSA patch is seen on an officer in Calgary, Alta., Thursday, Aug. 1, 2019. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh)

A total of 142 kg of cocaine has been seized by officers in Quebec, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) said on Tuesday.

The agency explains it received a call from Canadian National (CN) Railway police on March 19, “following the identification of an infraction on a railcar at CN’s Taschereau Yard.”

The container originated in Mexico and travelled to Canada via the United States.

“During examination of the container and other rail cars that contained new vehicles, the border services officers detected the contraband concealed under vehicle carpets,” a press release notes. “Chemists from the CBSA lab were able to formally identify the substance, confirming the presence of cocaine.”

The total amount, 119 bricks, is valued at $3.5 million, the CBSA adds.

“This major cocaine seizure is the direct result of the diligent, collaborative work of our border services officers, intelligence services, chemists, dog handlers and partners,” said Eric Lapierre, Quebec regional director general with the CBSA. “This collaboration is another example of our shared commitment to protecting Canadians and dismantling criminal organizations.”

The seizure was in partnership with Montreal police (SPVM), which secured the search perimeter and escorted the bricks during transport to the Sûreté du Québec (SQ) for further investigation.

Anyone wanting to report suspicious border activity is encouraged to contact the border watch line or call 1-888-502-9060.