Prosecutions and Seizures

Windsor/St. Clair Region

Technology helps CBSA officers uncover $10 million in cocaine

Windsor, Ontario, July 29, 2005 - The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) today reported the seizure of 82 kilos of suspected cocaine at the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor. The drugs have an estimated street value of $10.3 million.

On Tuesday, July 19, 2005, at approximately 1:15 a.m., a tractor-trailer entered Canada with a shipment of mixed produce from California. CBSA officers selected the vehicle for examination and, using a mobile Vehicle and Cargo Inspection System (VACIS^TM), detected an irregularity in the shipment. A more detailed examination revealed the cocaine concealed within 6 of the 1,330 cases of produce.

The case remains under investigation. Charges are pending.

The mobile VACIS^TM is a truck-mounted, gamma-ray scanning system that captures an image of a marine container, rail car or truck contents. The images are similar in many ways to an X-ray. This technology allows shipments to be scanned quickly and safely and helps officers identify hidden compartments and detect contraband, weapons and other potentially dangerous goods. The VACIS^TM units are part of the CBSA's investment in new technology that further enhances the Agency's abilities to protect Canada's borders.

Anyone with information about this seizure or other suspicious cross-border activity is encouraged to call the CBSA Border Watch toll-free line at 1-888-502-9060. All calls are completely confidential.

Digital photos available upon request.

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