U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) says that agents arrested a Canadian truck driver and seized millions of dollars worth of drugs at a Washington state border crossing.
The drug bust occurred on May 9 at the Pacific Highway Port of Entry in Blaine, Washington, according to a CBP news release.
According to CBP, Canadian resident truck driver Ajitpal Sanghera was referred for a secondary inspection as he attempted to cross into the U.S.
While inspecting the trailer, officers reportedly discovered five duffel bags filled with 50 plastic wrapped packages containing cocaine.
Sanghera was arrested and transferred into the custody of the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office.
The seized drugs weighed 134 pounds of cocaine and have an estimated street value of approximately $3 million.
“This arrest and seizure highlight the teamwork involved in securing our borders,” said Adele Fasano, Director of Field Operations, Seattle Field Office. “Through the vigilance of CBP officers and HSI special agents, we were able to prevent these dangerous narcotics from ending up in our communities.”
“This illicit drug seizure was only made possible through the hard work and excellent coordination between Customs and Border Protection and members the HSI-led Border Enforcement Security Task Force (BEST),” said Eben Roberts, acting special agent in charge of HSI Seattle. “Even during these times of heightened stress and uncertainty, our dedicated law enforcement officers are still out in the community working to remove dangerous drugs from the streets and I couldn’t be prouder of their accomplishments.”