Cocaine has been identified as the most confiscated substance in the southwestern region of Ontario along the Canada-U.S. border, as reported by data from both countries. During the initial six months of the current year, a total of over 827,000 grams of cocaine, valued at more than $82 million on the street, were seized by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) at various border points including the Ambassador Bridge, Detroit-Windsor Tunnel, Blue Water Bridge, Peace Bridge, Queenston Bridge, Rainbow Bridge, and Walpole Island.
In the previous year, the CBSA confiscated 1,631,981 grams of cocaine, while in 2024, the amount seized was 1,515,369 grams, each worth over $150 million for those respective years. Justin Morgan, the chief of operations at the Ambassador Bridge for CBSA, mentioned that the majority of narcotics intercepted originate from the United States.
Similarly, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials also reported that cocaine was the most seized substance at the same southwestern border crossings. In 2024, they seized 927,142 grams, which increased to 2,092,875 grams in 2025. A watch commander from Customs and Border Protection, Lavarah Miller, stated that the majority of seized items in Detroit are headed to Canada from the U.S., rather than being sourced from within Canada.
Contrastingly, marijuana seizures by the CBP have surpassed cocaine seizures significantly this year, with 1,797,133 grams of marijuana confiscated compared to 242,218 grams of cocaine between October 1, 2025, and July 6, 2026. Benoît Gomis, a lecturer at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, pointed out that seizure data related to illicit substances may not provide a comprehensive overview of the situation, as there could be undetected drug crossings at the border.
Gomis further explained that the appeal of cocaine to criminal networks lies in its stable supply chain primarily from Colombia and Peru. He highlighted the straightforward nature of cocaine smuggling due to its small size and established distribution networks. Gomis also noted a rising trend in cocaine usage with increasing purity levels, leading to potential health risks when mixed with other substances like fentanyl.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime identified global drug trafficking, particularly cocaine trafficking, as a significant threat worldwide. In Canada, cocaine was reported as the most used substance by individuals seeking treatment in 2018. The organization’s data from 2020 to 2023 indicated that cocaine trafficking operations typically originate from South America and move through Mexico into the U.S. and Canada.
To detect drugs at the U.S. border, the CBSA utilizes various strategies, including intelligence gathering and information sharing with law enforcement agencies. Officers are trained to identify suspicious loads and concealment methods used by transnational organized crime groups. Advanced tools such as detector dogs, imaging units, and X-ray devices aid in the detection process. Moreover, the new Gordie Howe International Bridge features enhanced detection technology and inspection capabilities, including X-ray facilities for thorough examinations without offloading trailers, streamlining the inspection process.
