ON March 31, a commercial truck driven by an Ontario resident entered Canada using the Blue Water Bridge in Point Edward, Ontario, and was referred for a secondary examination. During the examination, Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers discovered and seized approximately 62 kg of suspected cocaine. This seizure is valued at approximately $3.5 million.
The CBSA arrested the driver, Harvinder Singh, and transferred him to the custody of RCMP officers from Windsor Detachment, who are conducting the investigation.
The RCMP has charged 25-year-old Singh of Brampton, Ontario, with importation of a controlled substance, and possession for the purpose of trafficking.
Singh will appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Sarnia, Ontario, on April 20.
The RCMP recognized the assistance provided by the Lambton County Ontario Provincial Police, and the Sarnia Police Service Forensic Identification Branch at the onset of this investigation.
An Nguyen, District Director, St. Clair District Operations, CBSA, said on Wednesday: “The Canada Border Services Agency, along with policing agencies including the RCMP, work tirelessly to keep our communities safe. That is at the forefront of what we do. Our officers are dedicated to keeping illicit contraband, including narcotics, off our streets. The CBSA is proud of this significant enforcement and the commitment of our officers working diligently despite these trying times.”
Superintendent Shawn Boudreau, Officer in Charge of Border Integrity, RCMP O Division, added: “The RCMP is grateful for the support of our law enforcement partners as we tackle issues such as drug importation. As part of our Border Integrity mandate, the RCMP in Ontario is committed to working with the CBSA and other partners to disrupt criminal exploitation of the Canada-US border to make our communities safer.”
Quick Facts
• If you have information about suspicious cross-border activity, contact the CBSA Border Watch Line at 1-888-502-9060.
• Anyone with information regarding criminal activity is encouraged to contact their local police, the RCMP at 1-800-387-0020 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.