Border Officials Seize $43.7 Million in Cocaine at Ontario Entry Port

Suspected cocaine seized at the Blue Water Bridge port of entry by the Canada Border Service Agency on Aug. 14, 2025. CBSA handout photo

Canadian border officers have seized $43.7 million worth of cocaine at an Ontario port of entry after inspecting two vehicles driven by Canadian residents arriving from the United States.

The first portion of the drugs was seized on Aug. 13, when border officials inspected a commercial truck arriving from Michigan through the Blue Water Bridge in Port Edward, Ont, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) said in a Sept. 3 press release. Upon examination, officials found six boxes containing 150 kilograms of suspected cocaine, with an estimated street value of $18.8 million.

Gurjeet Singh, a 28-year-old resident of Brampton, Ont., was arrested in connection with the incident and transferred to the custody of the RCMP, the border agency said.

The following day, CBSA discovered a bigger cocaine shipment in a tractor-trailer coming through the same entry port from the United States. The total weight of the suspected narcotics was 199 kilograms, with an estimated value of $24.9 million.

The border agency arrested Abdikadir Egal, 38, of Etobicoke, Ont., in connection with the seizure and transferred him to the custody of the RCMP.

Both Singh and Egal were charged with importation of cocaine and possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. Their cases are now before the Ontario Court of Justice in Sarnia, Ont., the CBSA said.

The press release does not mention whether the suspects are connected. The CBSA acknowledged receipt of a media inquiry from The Epoch Times but didn’t respond by publication time.

Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree commended law enforcement officials for their role in the drug bust.

“These recent seizures of illegal narcotics underscore the vital partnership between the CBSA and the RCMP in protecting Canada’s borders,” he said in a statement. “Their work makes all of us safer.”

Border officials at the same port of entry made a similar cocaine seizure in late July, when a commercial truck arriving via the Blue Water Bridge was found to be carrying 197 kilograms of suspected cocaine, valued at $24.6 million.

Onkar Kalsi, a 29-year-old resident of Caledon, Ont., was arrested in connection with the incident and charged with importation of cocaine and possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.

The CBSA says it seized 1,424 kilograms of cocaine coming from the United States between Jan. 1 and Aug. 20.

Drug trafficking has received increased attention in recent months, particularly involving fentanyl, after U.S. President Donald Trump imposed tariffs on Canada citing concerns over border security.

Canada has taken measures to address Washington’s concerns, including a $1.3 billion plan to boost border security and the appointment of a “fentanyl czar.”

It has also introduced Bill C-2, also known as the Strong Borders Act, which intends to amend multiple acts and implement other changes to increase border security. The bill has faced criticism by the Opposition over its possible impact on Canadian’s Charter rights.