TORONTO —U.S. Customs and Border Protection intercepted nearly 40 pounds of marijuana at the Toronto Preclearance Facility on December 19.
CBP officers used non-intrusive inspection technology to identify 42 wrapped packages of marijuana in the checked baggage of two travelers bound for Miami International Airport. The drugs weighed 39.44 pounds (17.89 kilograms) and had an estimated street value of nearly $132,400 CAD.
The travelers, a 20-year-old male and a 20-year old female, are both citizens of Canada. CBP referred the travelers to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), which placed them under arrest.
“This seizure demonstrates the security value of Preclearance operations and our international partnerships,” said Clint Lamm, Director of the CBP Preclearance Field Office. “By working with excellent partners like CBSA, we are able to stop criminal activity at the earliest possible point in the travel continuum.”
The possession, production, distribution and sale of marijuana and the facilitation thereof remain illegal under U.S. federal law. Crossing the border or arriving at a U.S. port of entry in violation of this law may result in denied admission, seizure, fines and arrest.
Although the Government of Canada has legalized the possession of limited quantities of marijuana, taking marijuana across Canadian borders remains illegal.
Preclearance operations enable CBP to strategically position Officers and Agricultural Specialists overseas to inspect travelers prior to boarding flights bound for the United States. These operations enhance U.S. security while facilitating swifter entry and faster connection times for U.S.-bound travelers.
More information about CBP Preclearance is available here.