Bricks of cocaine seized at the Osoyoos port of entry. (photo courtesy of the CBSA)

By Liam Verster

Drug Smuggling Arrest

70 kg of cocaine seized at Osoyoos border

Jul 23, 2025 | 10:47 AM

Border patrol agents in the South Okanagan made a major bust earlier this summer.

Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers at the Osoyoos port of entry stopped a pick-up truck driven by two Canadian citizens returning to the country from the United States on June 11.

The officers examined the truck bed where they uncovered bricks of cocaine weighing a total of 70 kilograms.

The CBSA said this was the largest cocaine seizure at this point of entry, noting the total amounted to an estimated 140,000 individual doses, and was the single largest cocaine smuggling bust ever recorded at the Osoyoos border point.

“The CBSA works tirelessly to secure our borders, protect Canadians and disrupt the activities of transnational crime groups,” Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Public Safety, said.

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“With this significant seizure, illegal drugs will not end up in our communities, and the profits will not end up in the hands of organized crime.”

The driver of the pickup was arrested and handed over to the RCMP Federal Policing – Pacific Region’s custody.

“This seizure is a great example of the dedication and expertise of CBSA officers as they continue to work hard each and every day to prevent illegal drugs from breaching our borders,” Nina Patel, Regional Director General of the CBSA’s Pacific Region, said.

“I also want to recognize and thank the RCMP for their ongoing collaboration to ensure public safety.”