Cocaine remains the most seized drug at the Canada-U.S. border in southwestern Ontario, according to recent data from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). In the first half of 2023, over 827,000 grams of cocaine, valued at more than $82 million, were confiscated at major border crossings including the Ambassador Bridge and the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel. The CBSA reported seizures of 1,631,981 grams in 2022 and 1,515,369 grams in 2024, each worth over $150 million. Justin Morgan, CBSA’s chief of operations at the Ambassador Bridge, noted that narcotics primarily come from the United States. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) also reported significant cocaine seizures, with 927,142 grams confiscated in 2024, indicating a trend where much of the seized cocaine is headed to Canada. Experts highlight that while seizure data reflects law enforcement activity, it does not fully capture the volume of drugs crossing the border undetected.
Why It Matters
Cocaine trafficking poses a significant challenge to public health and safety, with the drug’s consumption reportedly trending upward in Canada. Historical data shows that cocaine was the most commonly reported substance among individuals entering treatment in Canada in 2018. Trafficking routes typically originate in South America, with established networks connecting to North America. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime has classified cocaine trafficking as a global threat, emphasizing its impact on societies and health systems across multiple countries.
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