On May 5, 2025, border services officers at the Port of Halifax, with assistance from CBSA intelligence officers, examined a marine container destined for export to Barbados. 

During this examination, officers uncovered 1,610 kilograms of suspected cannabis. The shipment was falsely declared as tiles on the documentation provided to CBSA officers and was concealed in 80 boxes throughout the container. Authorities valued the cannabis at nearly $12 million, or about $7.50 a gram.

The cannabis and all evidence were transferred to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Eastern Region Federal Policing (Nova Scotia) for further investigation.

The CBSA and the RCMP collaborate on investigations to prevent illegal drug smuggling and organized crime from threatening the safety and well-being of our communities. Although cannabis is legal in Canada, the illicit cross-border movement of cannabis is a serious criminal offence, punishable with imprisonment of up to 5 years under the Customs Act and up to 14 years under the Cannabis Act. 

On April 30, 2025, border services officers at Montreal’s Marine and Rail Service also located 641.83 kg of suspected cannabis in a container being exported to Spain.

Featured image via CBSA