Cocaine remains the top confiscated substance along the Canada-U.S. border in southwestern Ontario, as per data from both countries. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) seized over 827,000 grams of cocaine in the first half of this year, valued at more than $82 million, at various border crossings including the Ambassador Bridge, Detroit-Windsor Tunnel, Blue Water Bridge, Peace Bridge, Queenston Bridge, Rainbow Bridge, and Walpole Island.
In the past year, the CBSA seized 1,631,981 grams of cocaine, and in 2024, the amount confiscated was 1,515,369 grams, both worth over $150 million each year. Chief of operations at the Ambassador Bridge, Justin Morgan, stated that a significant portion of narcotics coming into Canada originates from the United States.
Similarly, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reported that cocaine was the most seized substance at the same border crossings in southwestern Ontario. The CBP confiscated 927,142 grams in 2024 and 2,092,875 grams in 2025. An official from CBP mentioned that a substantial portion of seized items in Detroit are bound for Canada from the U.S., not the other way around.
On a different note, marijuana seizures by CBP have surpassed cocaine seizures this year, with 1,797,133 grams of marijuana seized 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, highlighted that the data on illegal substance seizures lacks a comprehensive view of the situation. He emphasized that the reasons behind undetected crossings remain unclear.
Gomis explained that criminal networks find cocaine appealing due to its stable source primarily from Colombia and Peru, making it easy to smuggle. He noted an increase in cocaine consumption globally and rising purity levels, leading to more significant health risks.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime has identified drug trafficking as a significant global threat, emphasizing the impact of cocaine use in Canada. The organization outlined the trafficking routes that start in South America and extend into North America.
CBSA employs various methods to detect drugs at the border, including intelligence gathering, automatic inspections, and specialized tools like detector dogs and X-ray technology. With the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge, CBSA has enhanced detection capabilities, enabling more efficient commercial truck examinations and enhanced safety measures for handling toxic substances like fentanyl and methamphetamine.
The new crossing features advanced detection technologies, including 24 inspection lanes and specialized examination facilities that improve border security and drug detection efforts.