CBSA & RCMP Make Major Cocaine Bust, Saint John, New Brunswick

Over 1.5 Tons of Cocaine Seized

Saint John, New Brunswick border services officers seized more than 1.5 tons of cocaine in early January 2022 as part of a drug smuggling investigation by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).

Biggest Bust of it's Kind in Three Decades

Officials said It’s the “largest quantity of cocaine seized from a marine shipping container in Atlantic Canada in three decades." The CBSA has valued the seizure at approximately $198,000,000. The drugs were found in the cargo of a marine container.

CBSA and RCMP Investigation

The CBSA received information in December 2021 about exported shipments originating from Central America. The CBSA and RCMP moved the investigation forward as the CBSA tracked a marine shipping container imported by a resident to the Greater Toronto Area and exported from Central America. The final destination was Saint John, New Brunswick.

Drug Seizure at Port of Saint John, N.B.

Border services officers examined the container on January 7 at the Port of Saint John, New Brunswick. A significant amount of cocaine was discovered concealed in the container. The evidence was turned over to the RCMP.

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Search Warrant

A search warrant was executed in Brantford, Ontario on January 27, 2022 by the Ontario RCMP Federal Policing. The CBSA assisted along with the multiple police agencies including the Brantford Police Service. Six people were arrested with five individuals released with no charges pending.

Brantford, Ontario Man Charged

A 34-year-old man from Brantford, Ontario, Kyle Alexander Purvis, was charged with “importing a controlled substance into Canada and possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking.” The investigation is ongoing.