Haul of cocaine weighing as much as a mountain lion seized at Alberta-U.S. border
Alberta RCMP say more than 100 kilograms of cocaine was seized at the Alberta-U.S. border earlier this month.
To put that amount of cocaine into perspective, it weighs more than the upper end of what an adult male mountain lion generally can reach.
Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) said on March 8 officers discovered and seized approximately 108 kilograms, or 238 pounds, of cocaine following a secondary examination of a commercial transport vehicle at the Coutts port of entry in southern Alberta. The vehicle’s load originated from the United States and the drugs were hidden in the car.
The Integrated Border Enforcement Team in Alberta, a joint force operation between the RCMP Federal Policing Northwest Region, CBSA, and Calgary Police Service, was notified and a criminal investigation was initiated into the individual.
Arshdeep Singh, 26, a resident of Calgary, was arrested and charged with:
- Importation of a controlled substance contrary to section 6(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act; and,
- Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking contrary to section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
Singh is scheduled to appear at the Alberta Court of Justice in Lethbridge on May 7, 2025.
“Stopping dangerous drugs from coming into Canada is part of the CBSA’s commitment to keeping our communities and our streets safe,” said Canada Border Services Agency’s director of Southern Alberta and Southern Saskatchewan District, Ben Tame.
“This significant seizure demonstrates the important work being done by our border services officers as we continue to secure and protect our border alongside our law enforcement partners, the RCMP and the Calgary Police Service.”
“Working together with our law enforcement partners is key to stopping drug trafficking. By intercepting these drugs, which came through the USA, we’ve kept harmful substances out of our communities and collectively made our cities safer. Together, we remain committed to preserving public safety and disrupting these criminal organizations,” added Supt. Jeff Bell, Criminal Operations & Intelligence Division of Calgary Police Service.