Calgary Man Arrested with 108 kg of blow ❄️ at Coutts Border Crossing!
A Calgary man is facing serious drug trafficking charges after Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers intercepted a massive shipment of cocaine at the Coutts port of entry earlier this month. The seizure, one of the largest in recent memory for southern Alberta, highlights the ongoing battle against cross-border drug trafficking and the collaborative efforts of law enforcement agencies to keep illicit substances out of Canadian communities.
On March 8, 2025, CBSA officers at the Coutts border crossing conducted a secondary inspection of a commercial transport vehicle that had entered Canada from the United States. During the examination, officers discovered approximately 108 kilograms of cocaine concealed within the vehicle. The street value of the seized drugs is estimated to be in the millions of dollars.
The discovery prompted an immediate response from the Integrated Border Enforcement Team (IBET) in Alberta, a joint task force comprising the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), CBSA, and the Calgary Police Service. A criminal investigation was launched, leading to the arrest of 26-year-old Arshdeep Singh, a Calgary resident.
Singh has been charged with two criminal offenses:
- Importation of a controlled substance under Section 6(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and
- Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking under Section 5(2) of the same act.
He is scheduled to appear in the Alberta Court of Justice in Lethbridge on May 7, 2025.
A Coordinated Effort to Protect Communities
The seizure underscores the critical role of interagency collaboration in combating cross-border crime. Ben Tame, Director of the CBSA’s Southern Alberta and Southern Saskatchewan District, emphasized the importance of the agency’s work in keeping communities safe.
“Stopping dangerous drugs from coming into Canada is part of the CBSA’s commitment to keeping our communities and our streets safe,” Tame said. “This significant seizure demonstrates the important work being done by our border services officers as we continue to secure and protect our border alongside our law enforcement partners.”
Superintendent Sean Boser, Officer in Charge of Federal Serious and Organized Crime and Border Integrity for the RCMP’s Northwest Region, praised the teamwork that led to the interception.
“Thanks to the collaboration between agencies, a significant load of cocaine was intercepted before it could bring harm to communities throughout Alberta,” Boser said. “This successful operation highlights the importance of a strong and secure border as well as the teamwork and shared intelligence required to protect the public from the devastating impacts of illicit drugs.”
A Broader Impact on Public Safety
The Calgary Police Service also played a key role in the investigation. Superintendent Jeff Bell of the Criminal Operations & Intelligence Division stressed the importance of disrupting criminal organizations involved in drug trafficking.
“Working together with our law enforcement partners is key to stopping drug trafficking,” Bell said. “By intercepting these drugs, which came through the USA, we’ve kept harmful substances out of our communities and collectively made our cities safer.”
The seizure at Coutts is a stark reminder of the challenges law enforcement faces in curbing the flow of illegal drugs across the Canada-U.S. border. It also raises questions about the broader networks involved in such operations and whether Singh was acting alone or as part of a larger criminal organization.
As the case moves forward, authorities are expected to continue their investigation to uncover any additional links to organized crime. For now, the successful interception of 108 kilograms of cocaine stands as a testament to the effectiveness of coordinated law enforcement efforts in protecting Alberta communities from the scourge of illicit drugs.
