Police seize 31 kg opium at Vancouver Air Cargo

A joint operation between the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and the RCMP Federal Drug Enforcement Branch has resulted in the seizure of approximately 31 kilograms of opium and two arrests.

On March 11th, 2011 CBSA border services officers at Vancouver Air Cargo intercepted a shipment originating in Tehran, Iran. The accompanying documentation identified the shipment as ‘Samovar’ tea kettles. During their examination, CBSA officers detected contraband concealed inside the shipment. Their efforts resulted in the seizure of 18 kilograms of suspected opium.

The RCMP Federal Drug Enforcement Branch assisted CBSA to advance the investigation. As a result of information sharing and collaborative efforts, a 41-year-old Vancouver man and a 32-year-old Burnaby man were arrested, both at the residence of the Burnaby man.

Examination of the Vancouver man’s vehicle revealed an additional 13 kilograms of opium which was seized by RCMP federal drug investigators.

In total, approximately 31 kilograms of opium was seized in this investigation that won’t be hitting the streets for illegal purposes and profit.

Both males have been released and are currently scheduled to appear in court on June 2, 2011. The RCMP federal drug section is recommending charges of importation of opium and possession for the purpose of trafficking opium for both males. The maximum penalty for both of these charges is life imprisonment.