Border officers uncover 380 kg drug haul disguised as toilet paper

Posted on August 6, 2026 by admin

By Brook Wagner
Southern Alberta Newspapers

Border officers announced the seizure of 380 kilograms of drugs hidden inside a transport truck at the Coutts border crossing in southern Alberta.

The Canada Border Services Agency said the seizure happened on July 2 when officers took 300 kilogram of suspected methamphetamine and 80 kg of suspected cocaine from the truck.

The truck came from California and was headed to Vilna, Alta. According to the agency, the load was declared as bath tissue.

On July 2 officers examined the truck and noticed the load looked out of place. Upon investigation they located a large quantity of drugs. The narcotics were packed in 12 medium sized moving boxes, a smaller box and a duffel bag.

Upon discovery, the driver was arrested by officers. The driver and the drugs were then handed over to the RCMP Federal Policing Northwest Region.

The CBSA did not say if the driver has been charged, and no charges had been announced with the release. The name and age of the driver were also not released.

“Every day, the Canadian Border Services Agency detects, prevents and disrupts drug smuggling,” said Gary Anandasangaree, federal minister of Public Safety. He commented on how well the agency works with the RCMP and other partners to fight organized crime.

Janalee Bell-Boychuk, CBSA’s regional director general for the Prairie Region, said the seizures show the skill of the officers. “The CBSA defends our borders and protects Canadians,” she said.

Chief superintendent Brad Wirachowsky, acting regional commander for the RCMP Federal Policing Northwest Region, said teamwork matters. “The safety of Canadians depends on strong partnerships,” he said.

It was one of several large seizures at the crossing within the last 12 months. In November and December, officers at Coutts seized a combined 1,010 kg of drugs from three trucks. On Feb. 15 they seized 86.9 kg of cocaine.

In 2024, CBSA officers in Alberta made 1,292 narcotics seizures. Those included 1,054 kilograms of cocaine and 279 kilograms of methamphetamine.

The CBSA asks anyone with information about suspicious cross-border activity to call its Border Watch Line at 1-888-502-9060. Tips can also go to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.