Canada Customs & Revenue Agency
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Released: 08 June, 1998

Revenue Canada Customs Officers Seize Shipment Of Cocaine Worth Over $30 Million

OTTAWA, June 8, 1998...Revenue Canada today announced that customs officers at the Marine Port of Vancouver seized approximately 150 kilograms of cocaine worth an estimated street value of over $30 million.

A vessel rummage team consisting of twenty five customs officers and three detector dogs spent 10 hours searching the vessel, and found the cocaine hidden in five different locations on the German-registered vessel, Columbus Pacific. Much of the cocaine was concealed in false bottoms of plastic barrels containing sand.

Customs officers decided to conduct a detailed search of the vessel after they became suspicious of three individuals who were close to the ship. When approached, two of the three men fled, dropping packages as they ran. Customs officers recovered the packages and discovered that they contained cocaine. The Vancouver Police Department Waterfront Unit later tracked the two men and all three were taken into custody. Two Vancouver residents have been charged with possession of a narcotic for the purposes of trafficking. No charges were laid against the third individual, who was subsequently released.

This seizure is of particular note since the United Nations General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) on the World Drug Problem is currently being held in New York. UNGASS is assessing the international drug problem and developing a forward-looking strategy for the 21st century based on a balanced approach that addresses supply and demand reduction.

National Revenue Minister Herb Dhaliwal, who is heading the Canadian delegation at UNGASS, is holding several bilateral meetings with international officials including U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan. The emphasis of these meetings will be on international cooperation to combat the global drug problem.

From New York, Mr. Dhaliwal stated that "seizures such as this demonstrate the importance of Revenue Canada's role in the front line defense against illegal drugs. Multilateral participation, such as UNGASS, allows us to have a broad influence on the anti-drug agenda, and the biggest impact on the global drug problem."

"We continue to work with our international partners on developing a balanced and effective approach to address the global drug problem, and I am very proud that Revenue Canada is able to make such a valuable contribution both domestically and internationally," concluded Mr. Dhaliwal.

Since January 1, 1998, customs officers have seized illegal drugs worth an estimated street value of $201 million.

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For media information, contact:

Michael Barluk
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of National Revenue
(613) 947-7299

Kim Scoville
Chief of Marine Operations
Vancouver
(604) 671-1842