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CBSA seizes record amount of suspected cocaine at Coutts crossing

Dec 8, 2017 | 12:24 PM

COUTTS, AB — Two people from California are facing drug charges after guards at the Coutts border crossing made the largest seizure of cocaine at an Alberta border crossing.

RCMP announcing 99.5 kilograms, or approximately 200 pounds of cocaine were seized from a semi truck hauling produce from California that was destined for an Alberta business on Dec.2. While searching the cab of the vehicle, a microwave oven was opened, and eight bricks of suspected cocaine were allegedly discovered inside. In total, 84 bricks of suspected cocaine were discovered in the vehicle.

The driver and passenger in the truck were taken into custody.

The drugs seized is the largest suspected cocaine seizure recorded by Canadian Border Service Agency officers in Alberta to date. The previous record, 92.74 kilograms, was also seized at Coutts in October 2016.

The street value of the drugs seized is being estimated at $8.4 million.

RCMP charged Gurminder Singh Toor, 31, and Kirandeep Kaur Toor, 26, both of California, on four counts each under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

The pair are scheduled to appear in Lethbridge Provincial Court on Friday.