CBSA Reports Seizure of 1.73 Kilograms of Fentanyl and 59.73 Kilograms of Other Narcotics in Operation Blizzard
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) reported seizing 1.73 kilograms of fentanyl and 59.73 kilograms of other narcotics during Operation Blizzard, a month-long initiative carried out from February 12 to March 13, 2025. The operation involved the inspection of shipments in postal, air cargo, and marine containers throughout Canada, focusing on both incoming and outgoing shipments, including those destined for the United States.
Operation Blizzard is significant because it resulted in the interception of a large quantity of illegal drugs at various points of entry across the country. According to the CBSA, the majority of seizures—67.5%—were illegal narcotics en route from the United States into Canada, while 17.5% were shipments being exported from Canada to the United States. The agency reported that over 2,600 seizures of suspected narcotics and precursor chemicals were executed nationwide during the operation.
The CBSA stated that among these seizures were 116 separate instances involving fentanyl, totaling 1.73 kilograms, in British Columbia, Québec, and Alberta. Of the fentanyl seized, 1.44 kilograms were being shipped to the United States, and 0.26 kilograms to other countries. Additional drug seizures during the operation included 5.38 kilograms and 89 pills of methamphetamine, 13 kilograms of cocaine, 0.19 kilograms of heroin, 38.84 kilograms and 11 bottles of opium, 2.32 kilograms and 82 pills of MDMA (ecstasy), and 249 seizures involving cannabis or cannabis-related products.
Other notable CBSA seizures during the same period included 400 litres of 1,4-butanediol in Vancouver, 148 kilograms of methamphetamine at Vancouver International Airport, and 142 kilograms of cocaine from rail containers in Montreal. Further, the agency reported seizing 154 kilograms of ketamine at Toronto Pearson International Airport, 108 kilograms of cocaine at the Coutts port of entry, and 419 kilograms of suspected cocaine at the Blue Water Bridge port of entry.
Additional seizures cited by the CBSA included 25 kilograms of codeine and the precursor chemical ephedrine, 8 kilograms of suspected khat at the Ambassador Bridge, 1.7 kilograms of suspected MDMA at the Peace Bridge, 10 kilograms of ketamine and 2.7 kilograms of opium at Vancouver International Airport, and just under 25 kilograms of methamphetamine at the Vancouver International Mail Centre.
According to the CBSA, fentanyl is a highly potent opioid; the agency notes that a few grains can cause a fatal overdose. The CBSA states that fentanyl is 20 to 40 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine.
Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree, Fentanyl Czar Kevin Brosseau, and CBSA President Erin O’Gorman issued statements recognizing the actions of border officers in detecting and intercepting illegal narcotics during Operation Blizzard.