Meth seizure at Coutts border crossing. (Supplied by Canada Border Services Agency)

By David Opinko

50 kg of meth seized at Canada-U.S. border

Largest-ever seizure of meth at Coutts border crossing made

Aug 1, 2019 | 11:44 AM

COUTTS, AB – 50 kg of methamphetamine contained in 33 bags were seized by Canada Border Services (CBSA) and RCMP at the Coutts Border crossing on Sunday (July 28). CBSA says this is the equivalent of 500,000 doses, with a street value of $3 Million.

Officers at the border took a semi truck with an empty trailer aside for further examination. They uncovered the bags of meth in the cab’s front seat ,concealed in a box and a duffel bag.

The massive quantity of methamphetamine and the vehicle were seized and handed over to RCMP.

The driver, 40-year-old Asif Mir of Calgary, has been charged with importing controlled substances and possession for the purpose of trafficking.

“The success of this investigation is an excellent example of the strong working relationship between the RCMP and CBSA,” says Southern Alberta RCMP Inspector Charlene O’Neill. “Working together, sharing intelligence, resources and expertise, we disrupt international drug trafficking networks and keep our communities safe.”

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RCMP indicate Mir was previously known to them but, they aren’t saying whether Mir has any known ties to organized crime.

Large drug busts at the Coutts Border Crossing are not unusual. Two other major busts were recorded in 2017. The largest ever bust of cocaine in Alberta was made at Coutts on December 2, of that year, and several weeks later, on December 17, there was another large cocaine bust at the same border crossing. Both drug seizures had similar details to this past Sunday’s incident.

Largest cocaine seizure in Alberta at Coutts on Dec 2, 2017

Mir appeared in Lethbridge court on Thursday (Aug 1) and was released on $1,000 bail, with conditions. He returns to court on August 22.