The Canada Border Services Agency's latest operational and enforcement highlights include a $32 million cocaine bust at the Blue Water Bridge.
The agency said Thursday that the value of narcotics seizures in the Southern Ontario Region from January 1 to October 31, 2020 increased by 98 per cent compared to the same period in 2019.
The numbers include a record amount of 255 kilograms of cocaine with a value of $31.9 million that was seized at the Blue Water Bridge on September 8.
“The CBSA continues to protect the economy and our communities and our officers work diligently to prevent smuggling across our borders," said Regional Director General, Southern Ontario Region, Christine Durocher. "The work accomplished this year demonstrates the ongoing commitment of our organization, despite COVID-19 restrictions.”
The report also said that tobacco seizures for the period increased 313 per cent with a total value of $68.1 million.
From March 23 to October 31, 134 firearms were seized in the region, just under a third of the national total.
Through the first 10 months of 2020, 1,026 asylum claims were processed of which 84 per cent were deemed eligible.