Border Services agency makes $2.2M drug bust

More than $2.2 million worth of cocaine and heroin was seized on Sept. 22 at the Pigeon River Border crossing south of Thunder Bay.

In a release issued on Monday, Canada Border Services Agency officials say they uncovered 14 kilograms of cocaine, with an estimated street value of $1.7 million, and 1.24 kilograms of heroin valued at $496,000.

Customs agents, who called it the biggest drug bust yet at Pigeon River, said a number of indicators led them to conduct a more thorough search of truck trying to cross into Canada, which uncovered the drugs in a hidden compartment.

“This seizure is an excellent example of the outstanding work done by our officers,” said Tuula Schuler, district director of the CBSA’s Northwestern Ontario district in the release.

“Stopping the smuggling of illegal drugs at our borders plays a big part in making our communities safer and preventing illegal activities that generate profits for organized crime.”

A Windsor, Ont. man was charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking, and appeared in court in Thunder Bay last Wednesday.

CSBA have not named the suspect.