After increasing its resources last year, Canadian border enforcement saw dramatic spikes in border investigations and methamphetamine seizures in 2020, while cocaine seizures dropped substantially when compared with the previous year.
A British Columbia Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) news release reported that more than 600 kg (about 1,323 pounds) of drugs were seized at the province’s points of entry. Methamphetamine seizures made up 58 percent of that total, which saw the greatest increase from the year before.
In 2020, methamphetamine seizures at the points of entry were up 110 percent in 2020 from the year before. RCMP, working with the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA), seized 52.5 kg (nearly 116 pounds) of methamphetamine more than it did in 2019. According to the report, cocaine seizures were down 82 percent, 129.5 kg (285 pounds), from 2019 totals.
In response to the border closure to non-essential travel, superintendent Bert Ferreira, officer in charge of B.C. RCMP Federal Serious and Organized Crime – Border Integrity Program, said in the release RCMP added enforcement at the province’s points of entry, which led to a successful year of disrupting organized crime.
There were a total of 942 border investigations at the points of entry in 2020, a 304 percent increase over 2019, according to the report.
“It’s undeniable that officers working in both a covert and overt capacity along the border, results in a noticeable and measurable impact on the local drug supply while disrupting organized crime activities,” Ferreira said. “I commend all employees who have worked tirelessly during the pandemic, resulting in such a successful year.
“Working with CBSA, and other local police departments, we will continue to do our part to ensure the safety and security of Canadians and build on recent successes gained from drug seizures, prosecutions, disruptions and excellent intelligence gathering.”
The U.S./Canadian border closed to non-essential travel March 21, 2020, in an effort to slow the spread of Covid-19. The Canadian border is set to reopen to non-essential travel August 9, whereas the U.S. extended its closure – for the 16th time – to August 21. Throughout the pandemic, trade and other travel between the two countries deemed essential has been allowed.
The Border Integrity Program is also responsible for intercepting individuals entering the country illegally, according to the release, and saw a 54 percent decrease in 2020 from 2019. But the RCMP speculates that number will return to what was seen before the pandemic.
There were also 14 firearm seizures at the points of entry last year.
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