31 bricks of cocaine seized at the Blue Water Bridge April 4, 2015 (Photo courtesy of CBSA)31 bricks of cocaine seized at the Blue Water Bridge April 4, 2015 (Photo courtesy of CBSA)
Sarnia

31 Bricks Of Cocaine Seized At Bridge

A Quebec man faces charges after 34 kg of cocaine was seized at the Blue Water Bridge earlier this month.

The Canada Border Services Agency and the RCMP announced today (Friday) that 31 bricks of cocaine were found April 4 when a transport truck was searched.

Officers saw a black duffle bag concealed under tarps within the undercarriage of a flatbed trailer.

32-year-old Mathieu Lavertu of Victoriaville, Quebec was arrested under the Customs Act for allegedly smuggling a prohibited substance and charged by the RCMP with importation and possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.

He was in custody with a court appearance set for April 19.

The CBSA says over the last 12 months, border officers in Sarnia have seized 196 kilos of cocaine.

The RCMP says cocaine is one of the illegal drugs most commonly imported into Canada by organized crime groups.

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