TORONTO – A 26-year-old Toronto truck driver faces drug charges after border officials found 52 kilograms of suspected cocaine hidden in his rig earlier this week.

On July 27, Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers pulled over a commercial truck for a secondary examination at the Ambassador Bridge crossing and found 52 bricks of suspected cocaine inside three duffel bags and a tote located in the truck’s storage areas. The officers seized the suspected cocaine and arrested the driver.

“This seizure was outstanding work by all involved and demonstrates that CBSA officers are vigilant in protecting our borders 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Our officers work hard to combat illegal activity at our borders and are dedicated to keeping our streets and communities safe,” said Rick Comerford, regional director general of southern Ontario, CBSA.

The CBSA then contacted the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) who took custody of the drugs and truck driver.

The RCMP charged Lavdrim Mehmeti of Scarborough, ON with importing cocaine and possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking. Mehmeti is currently in custody and is scheduled to appear in the in court on August 4.

“The RCMP are committed to working in close partnership with CBSA to maintain the security of our borders and ensuring the safety of our communities through an integrated approach to disrupting the criminal organizations responsible for the distribution of controlled substances,” said RCMP Sergeant Peter Koersvelt. 

Since January 2014, the CBSA has seized about 302 kilograms of cocaine in about 57 busts in the southern Ontario region alone.