Border officials in Canada have seized 209 kilograms of opium concealed within a shipping container in Metro Vancouver. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) reported that the drugs were discovered on March 26 at its container examination facility in Burnaby, British Columbia.

The opium was hidden inside a large piece of commercial machinery weighing 11,000 kilograms. This machinery arrived in Canada from the United Arab Emirates. A video released by the CBSA shows a welder cutting through the equipment, revealing several packages of opium inside.

This seizure is significant, as it accounts for nearly half of the total 448 kilograms of opioids, which include opium, methadone, and morphine, that were confiscated by border officials in Canada during the last fiscal year.

The CBSA has stated that the investigation into this smuggling operation is ongoing. Officials continue to monitor and address the challenges posed by drug trafficking across the border. The agency emphasizes its commitment to preventing illegal substances from entering Canada and ensuring public safety.