Massive cocaine cache found on Russian ship
Posted December 13, 2013 4:01 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – A top BC criminologist expects that a massive seizure of cocaine in Vancouver will really hurt at least one Canadian drug operation.
One hundred and nine bricks of the drug were found inside a marine container from Russia. It was mixed among other food products and was detected through X-Ray. Canada Border Services Agency officers noticed the inconsistencies in the X-ray image and investigated further.
The CBSA says the container was 40-feet and refrigerated.
SFU Criminologist Rob Gordon says it likely originated in South East Asia, made its way to Russia and then sailed over to Vancouver.
“A load of that size is coming into Canada to be re-distributed across the country and could re-appear anyway, but it’s obviously meeting market demand quite significantly,” explains Gordon. “They probably already have retailers or a retail outlet in mind. What the seizure will do is reduce supply on the streets which potentially could increase the street value of existing drugs.”
“Despite the elaborate method used to attempt to conceal these narcotics, they were intercepted by our border services officers, skilled professionals who specialize in detecting and seizing prohibited goods at the border. This seizure sends a clear message to those who seek to use Canada’s borders for illegal activity: we will continue to be vigilant in preserving the integrity of our borders and ensuring the safety of our communities,” explains Roslyn McVicar, Regional Director General of CBSA
