Record meth bust at Coutts
A Calgary semi-truck driver has been charged in relation to a record haul of methamphetamine Canada Border Services Agency officers uncovered at the Courts border crossing on Christmas Day.
CBSA officers referred a semi-truck hauling produce for further inspection on Dec. 25, 2020, at the Coutts port of entry. While examining the shipment, the CBSA says its officers uncovered 228.14 kilograms of methamphetamine, which they claim would have an estimated street value of $28.5 million and be equivilent to 2.28 million individual dosages.
The agency says this is the largest seizure of methamphetamine at a land border crossing on record across Canada.
Officers arrested the driver and turned the individual and evidence over to Alberta RCMP.
“It is because of CBSA officers’ diligence while screening essential goods that this record amount of methamphetamine did not reach our streets or cause harm to our communities,” said CBSA Southern Alberta director Ben Tame, in a press release.
The agency stressed that the seizure, arrest and subsequent charges were only made possible due to the close partnership the CBSA and RCMP have in monitoring and investigating cross-border smuggling of illicit drugs.
“The success of this operation is a testament to the strong partnership the RCMP shares with CBSA, and law enforcement agencies across Canada,” said Alberta RCMP superintendent Allan Lai, in the same release.
The RCMP Integrated Border Enforcement Team has charged Amarpreet Singh Sandhu, 38, of Calgary with importation of a controlled substance, as well as possession for the purpose of trafficking.
Sandhu was released from custody on January 14, 2021, and is scheduled to appear on Feb. 11, at the Lethbridge Provincial Courthouse.
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