A truck driver was arrested and charged after border officers seized over $11 million worth of cocaine after it entered Canada from the U.S. via Buffalo, New York, authorities said Thursday.
Pardeep Singh, 24, of LaSalle, Quebec, was arrested on June 15 after a secondary inspection on the Canadian side of the Peace Bridge, which links Fort Erie, Ontario, and Buffalo.
Canada Border Services Agency officers discovered five duffel bags containing almost 250 pounds of cocaine, according to a joint statement from the CBSA and Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
It was not immediately clear if the drugs were found in the cab or the trailer.
The Peace Bridge has been a common site of major drug seizures from commercial trucks at the U.S.-Canada border since it closed for nonessential travel in March 2020. However, most have occurred on the U.S. side, involving loads of marijuana coming from Canada.
Cocaine and methamphetamine account for the lion’s share of the drugs being smuggled from the U.S. to Canada via truck.
In June, Toronto police announced they had taken down a cross-border drug-smuggling ring that utilized secret compartments installed in the truck cabs. Police said the compartments couldn’t be penetrated by X-ray scanners at the U.S.-Canada border.
Read More
Brokerage Compliance Symposium
The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.
F3 Awards Dinner
The night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.
F3: Future of Freight Festival
Industry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.
The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register NowThe night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register NowIndustry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now