Officers with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) discovered 45 kilograms of cannabis hidden in a Canadian traveller’s luggage on October 26, 2024, destined for the Netherlands.

The seizure resulted in the traveller, Rumana Sunusi Aman Mohamed (20), being arrested and charged with possession for the purpose of export contrary to section 11(2) of the Cannabis Act. A December 9 press release says the man was released on an undertaking and was scheduled to appear in court on December 5, 2024.

“The discovery of travellers arriving at Canadian international airports attempting to hide cannabis continues to be an issue with serious, and possibly lifelong consequences for these travellers,” says Inspector John McMath, Officer in Charge, RCMP Toronto Airport Detachment. It is illegal to carry any amount of cannabis on your person or in your luggage. A decision to carry cannabis can have a very negative impact on a person’s life, please be aware before making this choice.” 

Reports of such seizures appear to be on the increase. Between January 1 and October 31, 2024, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) intercepted over 15,000 kilograms of cannabis. CBSA in Atlantic Canada was responsible for 513 kilograms of that total. CBSA officers for the Greater Toronto Area logged a total of 1,827 cannabis seizures, resulting in the confiscation of approximately 6,400 kilograms of cannabis. 

In the Quebec region, CBSA officers reported 1,928 seizures of cannabis, including 309.52 kg of cannabis at the Montréal Marine and Rail Services (MRS) on January 11.

CBSA officers in the Pacific Region reported capturing 3,378 kg of cannabis while the Prairie Region reported seizing 134 kilograms of cannabis.

Recent press releases document more than 500 kilograms of illegal cannabis seized in the past few months alone, most destined for the UK.

CBSA reports seizing nearly 26.6 million grams of cannabis and 126,210 grams of hash in 2023, up from nearly 20 million grams of cannabis in 2022 and 15,429 grams of hash.

Reports of cannabis exports into the US and other markets are not uncommon. In February, police in Québec said they arrested three people in connection with the illicit export of cannabis to the United States. 

Canadian cannabis also often finds its way into illicit markets overseas. 

In June, while examining outbound luggage at the Halifax Stanfield airport, CBSA seized 32 kg of cannabis. On June 18, CBSA officers at the Montreal Maritime and Rail Services intercepted 309.52 kg of Hashish hidden in cans of tomato paste. 

In May, border officials intercepted a package at the Montréal-Trudeau Airport that contained 120 kg of dried cannabis.

In April, Montreal Maritime and Rail Services CBSA officers seized 275 kg of dried cannabis hidden in bags of wood pellets. In February, CBSA officials at Vancouver International seized over 180 kg of cannabis. In January, the CBSA intercepted 310 kg of cannabis in a container exported from Canada to the UK at Montréal Marine and Rail Services.

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