Prosecutions and Seizures

Greater Toronto Region

Cocaine seized at the International Mail Centre

Mississauga, Ontario, September 26, 2005 - The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) announced today that on September 11, 2005, officers at its Toronto International Mail Processing Centre seized approximately 400 grams of cocaine.

The drugs, valued at $50,000, were hidden in a parcel from Brazil declared as "merchandise." During a secondary examination of the parcel, CBSA officers found the drugs in two boxes with false bottoms hidden among clothing items. The package was addressed to a Toronto resident.

"This seizure clearly demonstrates that we are vigilant when it comes to ensuring our borders are not used for illegal activities," said Robert Burfield, Director of the International Mail Processing Centre. "Seizures of illegal drugs help impede the ability of criminals to operate effectively in Canada."

Since January 1, 2005, CBSA officers at the Toronto International Mail Processing Centre have made over 1,000 narcotics seizures, keeping illegal drugs worth more than $2.5 million off the streets of Canada.

-30-

For media information