CBSA catches truck driver with 233 kg of cocaine

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) together with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) intercepted approximately 6.5 million dollars worth of cocaine from entering Canada at the border and arrested a truck driver.

On September 26, 2023, a commercial truck driver arrived at the primary inspection booth at the Queenston-Lewiston Bridge port of entry in Niagara-on-the Lake, Ontario. The vehicle and driver were referred for secondary examination, and border services officers discovered 202 brick-shaped objects.

The objects tested positive for suspected cocaine with a total weight of 233 kg. The driver was arrested by the CBSA and transferred to the custody of the RCMP Border Integrity Unit, along with the suspected narcotics.

A thorough investigation followed and on December 19, 2023 the RCMP charged 35-year-old Sukhwinder Dhanju of Brampton, Ontario with importation of cocaine, contrary to Section 6(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and possession for the purpose of trafficking, contrary to Section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

Dhanju has been released with strict conditions. A court date is scheduled for February 2, 2024 in St. Catharines, Ontario.

“This investigation is another great example of the partnership between the RCMP and the CBSA to keep our communities safe. The RCMP and the CBSA once again, through a joint effort, demonstrated continued commitment in working together to effectively disrupt the drug trade,” said superintendent Rae Bolsterli, officer in charge, RCMP Border Integrity Program, O Division.

In 2023 CBSA made 8,212 illegal drug seizures. This included 1,475 kilograms of cocaine, 88 kg of heroin, 560 grams of fentanyl, 2701 kg of other opiods and 46,451 kg of other drugs, narcotics and chemicals.