CBSA net pair of major drug busts at Coutts

By Lethbridge Herald on December 30, 2024.

CBSA photo - Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers, working with the Integrated Border Enforcement Team in Alberta, seized 189 kg of cocaine at the Coutts port of entry last month.

Alexandra Noad – LETHBRIDGE HERALD – Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers at Coutts seized $2 million dollars worth of cocaine last month from a commercial truck seeking entry into Canada.

The vehicle was pulled over for a second examination on Nov. 13.

During the search 189 kilograms of cocaine were confiscated and all partner agencies involved are engaged in the ongoing criminal investigation.

Ben Tame, CBSA director for the southern Alberta and southern Saskatchewan district, commended the officers’ efforts in preventing illegal substances and activity from entering the country.

“In cooperation with our law enforcement partners, the RCMP and the Calgary Police Service, this significant seizure serves as another example of how Canada’s borders are being secured and drugs are kept off our streets.”

Supt. Jeff Bell who serves on the criminal operation and intelligence division of the Calgary Police Service, says the drugs “undoubtably had the potential to cause serious damage to the community.”

No charges have been laid and updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.

This was the first of two multimillion-dollar confiscations of illegal drugs at the Coutts border in recent weeks. On Nov. 19, a Calgary resident was arrested and charged after $3 million worth of cocaine was seized.

He is set to appear at Lethbridge Provincial Court on Jan. 2.

The Integrated Border Enforcement Team (IBET) mandate is to enhance border integrity and security along the shared border, between designated ports of entry, by identifying, investigating and interdicting persons, organizations and goods that are involved in criminal activities.