Over the past year, the CBSA has seized more than 160 kg cannabis at the Calgary International Airport and Calgary Commercial operations. The majority of the cannabis was illicit and destined for export. The total amount has an estimated street value of over $1.2 million. These seizures disrupt organized crime that helps fund other illegal activities such as narcotics and weapons smuggling.
Among these seizures, border services officers at the Calgary International Airport seized 109 kg in 4 separate smuggling attempts. In each attempt, the cannabis was discovered in vacuum-sealed packages within suitcases destined for the United Kingdom (U.K.). The travellers involved were arrested by CBSA officers.
Some additional highlights include:
- On July 12, 2025, officers intercepted 12.29 kg of cannabis contained in an otherwise empty suitcase from a Canadian citizen.
- On May 13, 2025, officers intercepted 17.5 kg of cannabis from the suitcase of a traveller from Hong Kong.
- On October 27, 2024, officers intercepted 31.6 kg of cannabis from a Canadian citizen on a stopover from Vancouver. Officers also found 1 gram of fentanyl and 29 grams of cocaine in small bags hidden within this traveller's suitcases.
- On Aug 31, 2024, officers intercepted 48 kg of cannabis concealed in bath towels within two suitcases of a Canadian citizen. A second Canadian citizen was also arrested.
At Calgary Commercial operations, officers intercepted 9 packages containing small amounts of cannabis of 1 to 10 kg each bound for the U.K., Belgium and the Netherlands. The cannabis was contained in vacuum-sealed bags and were falsely declared.
Although cannabis is legal in Canada, the illicit cross-border movement of cannabis is a serious criminal offence, punishable with imprisonment of up to 5 years under the Customs Act and up to 14 years under the Cannabis Act.
