Hundreds of kilograms of drugs were seized at the Coutts border crossing on December 24, 2024 (left) and January 18, 2025 (right). (Photo: Canada Border Services Agency)

By David Opinko

Coutts border officers seize millions of dollars worth of drugs in two incidents

Feb 25, 2025 | 9:31 AM

A pair of significant drug seizures have been made at an international border crossing in southern Alberta.

Between the two incidents, 228 kilograms of drugs worth a combined $2.86 million have been confiscated at the Coutts border crossing

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) says the first seizure occurred on December 24, 2024.

A commercial truck with a mixed load was reportedly destined for Calgary, but during examination, CBSA officers noticed “abnormalities” in the load. They allegedly discovered 186 kilograms of methamphetamine in the vehicle with an estimated street value of $1.86 million Canadian.

Then on January 18, 2025, a different commercial with a mixed shipment was also heading to Calgary when it was pulled aside for a secondary inspection.

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Border officers claim to have found two cardboard boxes that contained 42 kilograms of cocaine, estimated to be worth over $1 million Canadian.

The two incidents the CBSA is highlighting now are in addition to a $2 million drug seizure at Coutts back in November.

READ MORE: $2 million worth of cocaine seized at Coutts border

RCMP Regional Commander Lisa Moreland says illicit drugs destroy lives and cause serious harm to communities.

“The RCMP remains committed to sharing intelligence and working in close collaboration with the Canada Border Services Agency and international law enforcement partners to stop these illicit, dangerous, and toxic drugs from infiltrating into our towns and cities in Alberta and across Canada,” says Moreland.

The Governments of Alberta and Canada have made significant investments into border security over the last couple of months.

Federal Minister of Public Safety David McGuinty says the safety and security of Canadians is his top priority.

“These significant seizures are examples of the dedication and expertise of CBSA’s officers as they continue to work each and every day to prevent illegal drugs, like fentanyl, and contraband from breaching our borders,” says McGuinty. “I also want to recognize and thank the RCMP for their ongoing commitment to public safety.”

In December, Premier Danielle Smith announced a new Interdiction Patrol Team that consists of:

• 51 uniformed officers equipped with carbine rifles (weapons for tactical operations)
• 10 support staff, including dispatchers and analysts
• Four drug patrol dogs, critical to ensure reasonable suspicion to search vehicles
• 10 cold weather surveillance drones that can operate in high winds with dedicated pilots
• Four narcotics analyzers to test for illicit drugs

Ottawa also promised a $1.3 billion border security package that would expand the number of people, helicopters and drones used to monitor the border.

Black Hawk helicopters began their patrols along the Alberta-Montana border in late January.

READ MORE: Black Hawk helicopters patrolling Alberta-U.S. border crossings

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