A record 2,500 kg of opium has been seized by the Canada Border Services Agency at the Vancouver shipping yard in what is being described as a historic drug bust in Vancouver. The big opium haul was seized from 247 shipping pallets, marking the largest drug bust of its kind by the CBSA.

VANCOUVER – A record 2,500 kg of opium has been seized by the Canada Border Services Agency at the Vancouver shipping yard in what is being described as a historic drug bust in Vancouver.

The big opium haul was seized from 247 shipping pallets, marking the largest drug bust of its kind by the CBSA.

On Friday, the agency revealed the results of a joint investigation it launched in September with the RCMP’s Federal Serious and Organized Crime unit.

The purpose of the probe was to look “into a potential significant importation of controlled substances concealed inside marine containers,” according to the CBSA release.

 “Using a wide range of detection tools and technology, including X-ray technology, officers discovered irregularities in the shipping pallets as part of a deep concealment method,” reads the CBSA release. “Further physical examination confirmed approximately 2,486 kilograms of opium within 247 shipping pallets.”

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration defines opium as “a highly addictive non-synthetic narcotic that is extracted from the poppy plant,” and “the key source for many narcotics, including morphine, codeine, and heroin.”

Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino is applauding CBSA’s record opium seizure.

“The safety and security of our communities is our top priority. Our work begins at the borders, stopping illicit drugs from coming into Canada and disrupting criminal activity,” Mendocino said.

“Our work begins at the borders, stopping illicit drugs from coming into Canada and disrupting criminal activity. I want to thank CBSA employees for their quick and decisive action to keep our country safe.”

The CBSA said its investigation began in September, in conjunction with the RCMP, looking into a “potential significant importation of controlled substances concealed inside marine containers.”

The CBSA’s Metro Vancouver Marine Operations investigated 19 marine containers by late October.