The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) plays an important role in keeping fentanyl, its precursors and other dangerous drugs off our streets. Yesterday, the CBSA shared the results of Operation Blizzard.

Launched as part of Canada’s Border Plan, Operation Blizzard was a month-long (February 12 to March 13), cross-country surge operation to intercept fentanyl and other illegal drugs in postal, air cargo and marine containers.

During the operation, border services officers examined shipments, with a special focus on mail, air freight and sea containers going to the United States. They acted on increased referrals from CBSA’s National Targeting Centre based on risk assessments.

In total, the CBSA executed over 2,600 seizures of suspected narcotics and precursors across the country. 67.5% of all seizures made were of illegal narcotics coming to Canada from the United States, while 17.5% were of narcotics going to the United States. These included:

• 116 fentanyl seizures (1.73 kg), intercepted in British Columbia, Québec and Alberta. Of these seizures, 1.44 kg were on route to the United States and 0.26 kg were destined to other countries
• 17 meth seizures (5.38 kg and 89 pills)
• 24 cocaine seizures (13 kg)
• 26 heroin seizures (0.19 kg)
• 17 opium seizures (38.84 kg and 11 bottles)
• 48 MDMA seizures (2.32 kg and 82 pills)
• 249 cannabis and cannabis related product seizures

During this same period, the CBSA shared details about other notable seizures of illegal narcotics:

• 400 litres of 1,4-butanediol in Vancouver, more commonly known as “liquid ecstasy” or the “date rape drug”
• 148 kg of methamphetamine at Vancouver International Airport
• 142 kg of cocaine, (estimated value of $3.5M) from rail containers in Montreal
• 154 kg (estimated value of $4.6M) of ketamine at the Toronto Pearson International Airport
• 108 kg of cocaine at the Coutts port of entry
• 419 kg of suspected cocaine at the Blue Water Bridge port of entry
• 25 kg of codeine and the precursor chemical ephedrine (estimated value of $1.4 M)
• 8 kg of suspected Khat at the Ambassador Bridge
• 1.7 kg of suspected MDMA (ecstasy) (estimated value of $59,640) at the Peace Bridge
• 10 kg of ketamine (estimated value of $706K) at the Vancouver International Airport
• 2.7 kg of opium (estimated value of $160k) at the Vancouver International Airport
• just under 25 kg of meth at the Vancouver International Mail Centre

Canada’s Fentanyl Czar Kevin Brosseau said  “Fentanyl and other illegal drugs pose a threat to our communities and to public safety. The Canada Border Services Agency, with initiatives like Operation Blizzard, is directly contributing to detect, disrupt, and dismantle the fentanyl trade.”

Fentanyl is a very potent opioid. A few grains can be enough to kill. It is a dangerous drug that is 20 to 40 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine. This makes the risk of accidental overdose very high.

The CBSA’s response to the opioid crisis includes working with domestic and international law enforcement partners to identify and apprehend individuals, groups, and businesses that are suspected to be involved in the cross border movement of illicit drugs and substances.

To report suspicious cross-border activities, complete CBSA’s secure web form found at The Border Watch Line or call toll-free  1-888-502-9060.

~ Image: Government of Canada