U.S. border patrol seizes over 52 kg of cocaine bound for Canada

U.S. border officials say they have seized more than 52 kilograms of cocaine bound for Canada at the Ambassador Bridge connecting Detroit and Windsor, Ont. 

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers selected a commercial vehicle leaving the U.S. for Canada for examination on March 21. 

"[A] subsequent physical inspection conducted by officers revealed three garbage bags of suspected narcotics concealed behind stacks of lumber," a statement read. "The illicit cargo was confirmed to be cocaine through subsequent testing."

CBP said a total of 50 bricks of cocaine were seized and the Canadian driver faces federal charges.

The case remains under investigation. 

"This is a testament to the quality of work performed by those who work tirelessly to combat transnational crime and stem the flow of dangerous drugs through our communities," said Marty C. Raybon, director of field operations for CBP. "Border security is a team effort, and I applaud the outstanding work by our officers and our regional law enforcement partners."

The cocaine seizure comes amid heightened security at the Canada-U.S. border, including to stem the flow of fentanyl, in part as a result of concerns raised by President Donald Trump.

Canada has represented less than one per cent of all seized fentanyl imports into the U.S., according to federal data. About 19.5 kilograms was seized at the northern border last year compared to 9,570 kilograms at the southwestern border.