Mississauga, Ontario
From January 1 to February 28, 2026, Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), in conjunction with RCMP Toronto Airport Detachment (TAD), intercepted over 1,000 kg of illegal cannabis from travellers and commercial shipments leaving the country. Here are some examples of the seizures that took place:
- On January 9, 2026 border service officers at Toronto Pearson International Airport seized 72 kg of cannabis from a passenger bound for the United Kingdom.
- On January 19, 2026 border service officers at Toronto Pearson International Airport intercepted 61.5 kg of cannabis from a passenger bound for the United Kingdom after positive indication from a CBSA detector dog team.
- On February 12, 2026 border service officers in Mississauga seized 224 kg of cannabis from a commercial shipment bound for Germany.
- On February 24, 2026, while attending UPS facilities for examinations, border service officers in Hamilton seized 7 kg of cannabis in a parcel bound for the Netherlands.
Following these seizures, RCMP TAD was engaged and assumed custody of the seizures, initiating a criminal investigation into the individuals responsible. The collaboration between CBSA and the RCMP helps ensure that those involved are held accountable through the court process.
Cannabis smuggling supports organized crime and helps fund other illegal activities, such as narcotics and weapons smuggling. The CBSA's work to intercept this contraband is paramount to dismantling international organized criminal networks.
Smuggling cannabis across the border is illegal. Consequences are serious, in Canada and abroad. In Canada, the illicit cross-border movement of cannabis is punishable with imprisonment of up to 5 years under the Customs Act and up to 14 years under the Cannabis Act. In some other countries, you could face the death penalty.
