Vancouver cocaine seizure reaches record 328 kilograms in misdirected shipment
A southeast Vancouver business found 14 duffel bags of cocaine worth $5.8 million in a container on July 21, triggering the largest drug seizure in the city's history.
The day's top stories, food & events — every morning at 7. Unsubscribe anytime.
A southeast Vancouver business stumbled on the largest cocaine seizure in the city's history when employees found 14 duffel bags of the drug in a shipping container they were unloading on July 21. The total haul came to 328 kilograms, worth an estimated $5.8 million on the street.
The cocaine had traveled from Honduras in May, stopping in Jamaica before arriving in Montreal on July 5, then continuing to Vancouver. Sgt. Travis Fraser of the Vancouver Police Department's drug unit said the stamps and packaging on the shipment clearly indicated organized crime involvement.
"We believe the cocaine was supposed to be removed prior to its arrival at the company. For some reason, it was not unloaded," Fraser said in a statement. The business had no connection to the shipment and contacted police immediately upon discovery. The company cooperated fully with investigators.
No arrests have been made. Police are continuing their investigation into how the misdirected container ended up at the business and who was responsible for the smuggling operation.
The facts
How much cocaine was seized in Vancouver?
328 kilograms of cocaine were found in a shipping container at a southeast Vancouver business on July 21, worth an estimated $5.8 million.
Where did the cocaine shipment originate?
The cocaine traveled from Honduras in May, stopped in Jamaica, arrived in Montreal on July 5, then continued to Vancouver.
How many duffel bags contained the drugs?
14 duffel bags of cocaine were discovered in the shipping container.
