Meth seizure at Coutts border crossing on July 28, 2019. (Supplied by Canada Border Services Agency)

By David Opinko

Trial begins for Coutts border’s largest-ever meth seizure

Nov 25, 2020 | 11:45 AM

COUTTS, AB – Members of the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) are taking to the stand following a significant drug bust last summer.

Asif Mir, 41, of Calgary, is charged with importing controlled substances and possession for the purpose of trafficking.

50 kg of methamphetamine was confiscated at the Coutts border crossing on July 28, 2019. According to the CBSA, this is the equivalent of approximately 500,000 doses with an estimated street value of $3-million.

READ MORE: Largest-ever seizure of meth at Coutts border crossing made

In Lethbridge Court of Queen’s Bench for the start of a three-day trial Wednesday, CBSA Detective Shaun Skidmore gave his testimony.

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On the day of the alleged incident, Skidmore was called to assist other officers after a tractor-trailer that was trying to enter Canada was pulled aside.

His first duty was to ensure the truck was safe for his K-9 partner Yogi, an 83 lb Lab, to enter.

During the pre-search, Skidmore says he looked in the closet of the driver’s cabin and found three tire chain boxes behind a pile of laundry. As it was unusual to find those types of boxes there, he opened them up and found what he suspected was meth.

Yogi entered the truck, and when he got to the cabin area, showed signs that he detected one of the scents he was trained to sniff.

A Nik Presumptive Drug Test was conducted which turned blue, indicating the presence of methamphetamine.

Mir, who had been placed in a waiting room, was arrested by one of the other officers. Skidmore told court that, upon the officer telling Mir that he was being arrested for the smuggling of drugs, he appeared to be confused.

Skidmore took notes of the encounter then made plans with some of the other officers to continue searching the truck.

Noting that mattresses are a common place to hide illicit substances or other items, Skidmore examined the cabin’s bunk beds. The lower bunk was tucked away, and inside, he claims to have found a large black duffle bag that weighed over 50 lbs.

The bag reportedly contained several bags of meth.

Skidmore weighed all of the items inside the bag and took notes.

The items were then sent to an evidence locker where two RCMP officers took them the following day.

The defense is expected to make its case Thursday.

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