“The Government of Canada is tackling the fentanyl crisis head on by disrupting the supply chain of fentanyl and its precursors,” said Public Safety Minister David McGuinty in a Feb. 27 statement.
“Operation Blizzard demonstrates our commitment to protecting North Americans and defending our borders from the organized crime groups who threaten our communities.”
Border services officers will begin to increase inspections of inbound and outbound shipments and will also act on increased referrals from CBSA’s National Targeting Centre based on risk assessments.
“The goal of the operation is to disrupt the supply chain for fentanyl and other illicit drugs through the interception of contraband as part of Canada’s overarching efforts to strengthen border security and combat organized crime,” the CBSA said in the statement.
In addition, CBSA said its collaboration with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and local law enforcement has resulted in significant seizures across the country. In February 2025, it reported making six seizures that totalled 56.1 grams of fentanyl.
This includes the seizure this month of 20 fentanyl pills and 23 grams of a substance suspected to be fentanyl from two U.S. citizens who were crossing the Windsor-Detroit Tunnel port of entry. Other seizures in February included 186 kilograms of methamphetamine that had an estimated street value of $1.86 million and 42 kilograms of cocaine that had an estimated value of $1 million.
Other seizures included 6.4 kilograms of meth with an estimated value of $500,000, 38 kilograms of cocaine with a $4.7 million estimated value, 2.3 kilograms of cocaine worth an estimated $280,000, 35 kilograms of ketamine estimated to be worth $2.4 million, 30.6 kilograms of suspected heroin with an estimated value of $12,240 and 30 kilograms of suspected ketamine worth an estimated $2.1 million. These were all found in various cities and entry points in the country.
The federal government said it will work closely with its U.S. counterparts and law enforcement agencies to detect, disrupt and dismantle the fentanyl trade. It is also working with domestic and international law enforcement to “identify and apprehend individuals, groups and businesses that are suspected to be involved in the cross border movement of illicit drugs and substances.”
The RCMP also announced the results of a national initiative from Dec. 9, 2024 to Jan. 18, 2025 that was aimed at disrupting illegal fentanyl production and distribution in the country. The campaign was carried out by the Canadian Integrated Response to Organized Crime (CIROC) Committee, which is made up of federal, provincial and municipal law enforcement agencies.
According to a Feb. 26 RCMP news release, the agencies were able to coordinate and execute enforcement actions targeting fentanyl and other synthetic opioids. They also targeted the production and distribution of illicit substances, aiming to “dismantle criminal networks and target the supply of chemical precursors.”
In total, 489 occurrences related to fentanyl and synthetic opioids were reported, resulting in 524 arrests and the seizure of large quantities of drugs and other commodities. This included 46.17 kilograms of fentanyl, 15,765 pills of fentanyl, benzimidazole, izonitazene, hydromorphone and oxycodone, 44.70 kilograms and 973 pills of methamphetamine, 29.61 kilograms of cocaine, 122 firearms; $813,954.27 in cash and 33 stolen vehicles.
The RCMP noted that a number of investigations that were launched prior to and during the initiative remain active.
The CBSA encouraged those who want to report suspicious cross-border activities to contact the Border Watch Line.
Canada has stepped up its efforts to crack down on the trade in fentanyl and other drugs in response to statements by U.S. President Donald Trump, who has threatened to impose 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian imports if Canada does not reduce the flow of drugs and immigrants into the U.S. Earlier this month, the federal government announced the appointment of former senior RCMP officer Kevin Brosseau as Canada's "fentanyl czar." Less than one per cent of fentanyl available on U.S. streets is believed to come from Canada.
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