Canadian border agents seize millions of drugs in transport trucks at southern Alberta border

Millions of dollars worth of illegal drugs have been seized by Canadian border officials at Alberta’s southern border in recent weeks.

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) says on Christmas Eve, officers examined a commercial truck carrying a mixed load at the Coutts border crossing.

During the examination, CBSA officers noticed abnormalities in the load. They ultimately discovered 186 kg of methamphetamine with an estimated value of $1.86 million. according to the agency.

CBSA says the truck was headed for Calgary.

Weeks later, on Jan. 18, a commercial truck carrying a mixed shipment was directed towards a secondary examination while passing through the Coutts port of entry. During the search of the vehicle, Canadian border officials found two cardboard boxes in the truck trailer that contained multiple bricks of cocaine. In total, officer seized 42 kg of cocaine, worth more than $1 million.

This truck was also on its way to Calgary, according to the CBSA.

Both of the drivers were arrested and transferred over to the custody of the Alberta RCMP.

CBSA adds investigations into the incidents are ongoing.

Alberta, Canada cracking down on drugs following Trump tariff threats

Canada and Alberta have both announced plans in recent weeks to crack down on the trafficking of drugs, especially at borders with the United States.

This comes after U.S. President Donald Trump expressed concerns about the flow of fentanyl into the U.S. He has cited the supposed movement of drugs into the States from Canada as one of his reasons for threatening to imposed tariffs on Canadian imports.

While relatively little fentanyl comes from Canada, the country announced a czar to address the issue and appease Trump in addition to existing measures.

Premier Danielle Smith said earlier this month she wants to escalate Alberta’s war on fentanyl and “take immediate steps” to increase police and prosecutorial resources to go after fentanyl labs, “kingpins” and dealers.

A letter from Mike Ellis, Alberta’s Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services, asks municipal government to temporarily allow police departments to offer up bylaw and peace officers to be deployed to address community concerns like fentanyl and social disorder.

–With files from Kelly Geraldine Malone, The Canadian Press