According to the Canada Border Service Agency, almost 2,500 kilograms of opium was seized at the Port of Vancouver.
This seizure marks the largest in the agency’s history.
The drugs were discovered hidden inside the footings of a large number of blue shipping pallets. According to the CBSA, officers noticed irregularities in the pallets and used X-ray technology to detect the drugs.
In total, 2,486 kilograms of opium was found hidden in 247 pallets which the RCMP estimates is worth more than $50million at street value. The operation started on Oct. 25 when the CBSA’s Metro Vancouver Marine Operations unit began examining goods from 19 marine containers.
Nina Patel, CBSA regional director, said the search was triggered by the CBSA Intelligence Service and the RCMP.
“The interception of this shipment and this record-breaking seizure of opium demonstrates the CBSA commitment to keeping our communities safe,”
The opium has now been turned over to the RCMP Federal Serious and Organized Crime unit as investigations continue. So far, no arrests have been made.
