Border patrol seizes 266 pounds of cocaine outbound from Canada

U.S. Customs and Border Protection field operatives seized 266 pounds of cocaine last week from a tractor-trailer entering the country outbound from Canada, the agency revealed Tuesday.

Alerted by K-9s, CPB field operatives found 100 bricks of narcotics stacked behind a false wall in the trailer trying to cross at the Blue Water Bridge port of entry. Agents arrested the driver, a Canadian citizen, once testing confirmed the drugs were cocaine.

“We will continue to use all tools at our disposal to disrupt the flow of dangerous drugs into our communities,” said Port Director Jeffrey Wilson. “This seizure showcases the effectiveness of our layered approach to border enforcement, which is further enhanced by the assistance of our regional law enforcement partners.”

The truck and trailer are in CBP custody, and the case remains under investigation by Homeland Security. The driver will face local prosecution in St. Clair County, Michigan.

The CBP has intercepted 55,771 pounds of cocaine and 418,000 pounds of narcotics total from crossing U.S. borders this fiscal year to date, according to the agency’s drug seizure statistics.

“This seizure is a testament to the commitment of law enforcement, at every level, to disrupt transnational criminal organizations,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Jared Murphey, Detroit HSI. “Thanks to the vigilance of our CBP partners, these narcotics won’t be reaching their final destination.”

On a typical day, the CBP seizes 2,339 pounds of drugs attempting to cross American borders, according to the agency’s most recently updated averages.

“Combating transnational crime and protecting our border are among our enduring mission priorities,” said Director of Field Operations Marty C. Raybon. “This case exemplifies CBP Field Operations’ ongoing commitment to fulfill our mandate and I’m proud of the work done by those involved.”

Cocaine-related overdose deaths have risen every year since 2015, according to recent Drug Enforcement Administration statistics. While overdose deaths from synthetic opioids like fentanyl slightly decreased in 2023 compared to 2022, deaths from non-synthetic drugs like cocaine have increased, according to a May 2024 report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.