CBSA seizes half-tonne of opium at Tsawwassen border facility
Officers discovered 520.6 kilograms of opium hidden in paper rolls after detector dogs flagged the container in January.
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Border agents at the Tsawwassen Container Examination Facility seized more than 520 kilograms of opium after examining a marine container referred for inspection in January, the Canada Border Services Agency reported Tuesday, June 23.
The container was flagged for examination on January 14, 2026, based on intelligence from the CBSA's National Targeting Centre and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Upon arrival, CBSA detector dogs provided positive indication for contraband, prompting an X-ray examination that revealed internal inconsistencies in nine of twenty industrial-sized paper rolls.
A detailed search confirmed opium had been concealed deep within ten of the rolls. The seizure represents the collaborative strength between Canadian and U.S. agencies in combatting drugs and organized crime, according to CBSA.
"Every kilogram of opium we intercept at the border is a kilogram that will not devastate a family or community," said Nina Patel, Regional CBSA Director General for the Pacific Region. "This seizure is a testament to the skill, dedication, and vigilance of the CBSA officers who protect us every single day."
In 2025, CBSA officers in B.C. made 11,390 illegal narcotic seizures, including 329 kilograms of opioids. The agency's Detector Dog Service teams carried out 29,486 searches that year, resulting in 34,810 seizures involving drugs, firearms, and currency.