The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) seized more than 520.6 kg of opium hidden in industrial-sized rolls of paper inside a marine container at the Tsawwassen Container Examination Facility in Delta, British Columbia. The seizure occurred on January 14, 2026, but was only made public on June 23, 2026.
Details of the Seizure
The container was referred for examination by CBSA border services officers based on intelligence from the CBSA's National Targeting Centre, Pacific Regional Intelligence Section, and the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Upon arrival at the examination facility, a CBSA detector dog team provided a positive indication for contraband. Officers then conducted an x-ray examination, revealing internal inconsistencies in nine of the 20 industrial-sized paper rolls. A progressive examination confirmed opium concealed deep within 10 paper rolls, leading to the seizure of 520.6 kg of opium.
International Cooperation
The CBSA statement highlighted that this seizure underscores the strength of continued collaboration between Canadian and US agencies in combating drugs and organized crime. The agency did not specify the shipment's origin, but sources indicated the container arrived in Delta via Singapore. CBSA declined to provide further details due to the ongoing investigation.
Broader Context of Drug Seizures
According to the CBSA, border officers made 11,390 seizures of illegal narcotics in 2025, including 329 kg of opioids. This latest opium seizure represents a significant portion of the year's total drug interdiction efforts.
