Marine container loaded with $12.8M of contraband seized in Montreal

More than $12.8 million of contraband was seized from a marine container in Montreal by the Canada Border Services Agency. (CBSA)

More than $12.8 million of suspected cannabis was seized last month from a marine container in Montreal, said the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) Wednesday.

The agency states that on Dec. 27, border agents with the Montreal Marine and Rail Service located the container, which was full of vehicles and parts.

“During the examination, border services officers detected the contraband packed in the back of the container,” the CBSA notes. “It was concealed in 3,113 sealed packets placed in 59 large sports bags.”

The contraband, weighing roughly 1,384.5 kg was turned over to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).

“This seizure is another example of the CBSA’s efforts to secure the border and prevent the export of contraband abroad,” said Eric Lapierre, regional director general in Quebec with the Canada Border Services Agency. ”Seizures like these contribute significantly to ensuring that organized crime does not benefit from unlawful gains.”

The goods were on their way to Nigeria, the CBSA states.

The agency is reminding people that though cannabis is legal in Canada, “importing or exporting cannabis in any form without a permit or exemption authorized by Health Canada is a serious criminal offence subject to arrest and prosecution.”

The investigation is ongoing.