Dubai Police help Canadian authorities seize 2,500kg of opium, the largest drug haul in history

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

The Canadian authorities have recently announced the significant seizure of nearly 2,500 kilogrammes of opium in Vancouver, British Columbia – the largest opium seizure in modern Canadian history– after receiving a reliable security tipoff from Dubai Police that 19 shipping containers, suspected of containing narcotic substances, were heading for Canada.

Confirming their commitment to keeping Canadian communities safe from illicit drugs, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) explained that in September 2022, the CBSA Intelligence Sections and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Federal Serious and Organised Crime (FSOC) unit initiated an investigation into a potential significant importation of controlled substances concealed inside marine containers.

On October 25, 2022, the CBSA's Metro Vancouver Marine Operations examined goods in 19 marine containers based on this investigation. Using a wide range of detection tools and technology, including X-ray technology, officers discovered irregularities in the shipping pallets as part of a deep concealment method. Further physical examination confirmed there were approximately 2,486 kilogrammes of opium within 247 shipping pallets.

Together for A Safer World Dubai Police confirmed the record drug haul was another example of their continuous and fruitful cooperation and collaboration with Canadian authorities and law enforcement agencies. The Force further reaffirmed its commitment, according to the directives of the Ministry of Interior, to maintain strong, active, and vital communication channels with the world's police agencies to tackle transnational organised crime and ensure the world's safety and security.

The Force also stressed the importance of intensifying and unifying international security efforts, exchanging intelligence and security plans to foil criminals' bids. Dubai Police explained that they had held an urgent meeting with the Canadian liaison officer and provided him with preliminary information, including the path of the marine containers through five countries to their final destination in Canada.

The Force noted that they remained in constant contact and coordination with the Canadian authorities and tracked the shipment's itinerary for nearly 73 days until it arrived at the Vancouver port in Canada, where competent Canadian authorities carried out the drug seizure.

A Dent in Organised Crime Will Ng, Assistant Commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), thanked the General Department of Anti-narcotics at Dubai Police for their valuable contribution to the operation, adding that they work closely with domestic and international partners and take a proactive intelligence-led approach to combat transnational organised crime.

"The joint investigation contributed to keeping nearly 2,500 kilogrammes of opium with an estimated street value of over 50 million Canadian dollars from entering the province of British Columbia. This significant drug seizure has undoubtedly put a dent in organised crime," he said.