31 kg of cocaine seized in border bust

The largest seizure of narcotics to date at the Carway Port of Entry took place last week when border guards discovered a “sophisticated” compartment in a vehicle containing 31 kilograms of cocaine.

CBSA and the RCMP made a joint announcement Thursday morning at the RCMP detachment in Raymond.

“A very conservative estimate of this amount of cocaine, if sold at the gram level, could be worth anywhere between $1.4 million and $3.1 million — or more, depending on how it was mixed, cut and sold.,” said Insp. K.C.A. (Allan) Lai, acting officer in charge, Federal Policing South Alberta

Just after 2 p.m., examination of an SUV revealed a steel compartment under a panel. The compartment was locked from the inside and connected to the vehicle’s electrical system. CBSA believes the compartment could only be opened by pressing a sequence of buttons on the vehicle console.

“They drilled through the compartment and white powder emerged,” said Guy Rook, director for southern Alberta CBSA.

A field test showed the presence of narcotics.

A search of the vehicle revealed 31 one-kilogram bricks of cocaine.

“If this were street-ready, it would produce 310,000 hits,” said Rook. “The is the biggest interception on record in the history of the Carway Port of Entry.”

On March 19, RCMP charged Bradley Michael Gaudrault, 26, of Fort McMurray on two counts under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

Gaudrault appeared for a bail hearing at Lethbridge provincial court on Thursday, where he appeared via CCTV from Lethbridge Remand Centre. The matter was adjourned to March 26.

The Carway border crossing is located on Highway 2 approximately 100 km southwest of Lethbridge.

The CBSA and the RCMP work together to prevent illegal drug smuggling that endangers the safety of Canadian communities and generates profits for organized crime. Cocaine is the secondmost prevalent street drug in Canada.

“We’re fighting organized crime, and even helping to save lives, as we screen goods and people coming into Canada,” said Rook.

The seizure is one of several high-volume seizures at Alberta Ports of Entry recently.

In December, CBSA officers at Coutts seized 120.5 kg of suspected cocaine in two incidents.

“These later seizures have made us more determined than ever,” said Rook.

-- with files from Delon Shurtz