Illegal drug and firearm smuggling dominate the criminal landscape at the Osoyoos port of entry along the Canada-U.S. border, according to recent data from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). In 2024 alone, the CBSA recorded approximately 1,960 drug seizures in the Pacific region, including a staggering 988 kilograms of methamphetamines and nearly 50 kilograms of opioids. With fentanyl responsible for roughly 80% of accidental opioid deaths in Canada, the agency highlights its ongoing efforts, including the recent appointment of a fentanyl czar, to combat this pressing public health crisis.
Furthermore, the trend in firearm smuggling exacerbates concerns, particularly with a marked increase in weapons trafficking from the U.S. The CBSA seized 930 firearms in the previous year, a rise driven by the illicit importation of prohibited firearms. With Canada ramping up resources—such as a new joint Canada-U.S. strike force and enhanced surveillance measures—the focus remains on maintaining national security and public safety at the border. This coordinated response aims to tackle sophisticated smuggling operations head-on, including the recent interdiction of illegal gun magazines being smuggled into Canada.
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