Grand Rapids, Michigan — In a major bust at the Blue Water Bridge, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) have successfully seized an estimated $11 million worth of cocaine. The operation, carried out over two separate incidents, involved intelligence gathered by various agencies and careful inspections by border officials.
The first incident took place on February 27, when a commercial truck traveling from the United States was flagged for a secondary examination after agents received a tip-off. Upon inspection, officers discovered four duffel bags containing approximately 86 kilograms (190 pounds) of cocaine hidden in the truck’s trailer. The drugs were seized, and the truck driver was taken into custody for questioning.
Just a week later, on March 6, a second truck was stopped at the same border crossing. During the secondary examination, agents uncovered 333 kilograms (734 pounds) of cocaine. This second discovery brought the total amount of drugs seized to nearly 419 kilograms (925 pounds).
The CBSA and RCMP arrested Pawandeep Dhillon, 34, and Ravinderbir Singh, 23, both Canadian nationals, in connection with the drugs. The men have been charged under Canada’s Controlled Drugs and Substances Act for importing a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance with intent to traffic.
Officials have praised the collaborative effort between agencies, which helped prevent a significant amount of illegal drugs from reaching Canadian streets. The street value of the cocaine seized is estimated at approximately $11 million, highlighting the scale of the operation.
The Blue Water Bridge, which connects Port Huron, Michigan, to Sarnia, Ontario, is a key border crossing in the region. Originally constructed in 1938, the bridge’s second span was added in 1997 to accommodate increasing traffic. The recent bust underscores the vigilance of border security and the ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking at one of North America’s busiest entry points.
As the investigation continues, authorities are reminding the public of the importance of reporting suspicious activity to assist in preventing the illegal flow of drugs across the border.
