Cocaine stands out as the most confiscated substance in the southwestern region of Ontario along the Canada-U.S. border, as indicated by data from both countries. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) reported seizing over 827,000 grams of cocaine valued at more than $82 million during the initial half of this year 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, CBSA confiscated 1,631,981 grams of cocaine, and in 2024, the amount seized was 1,515,369 grams, both valued at over $150 million each year. Justin Morgan, the chief of operations at the Ambassador Bridge for CBSA, highlighted that a significant portion of the illicit substances originates from the United States.
Similarly, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials also identified cocaine as the most seized substance at the same border crossings in southwestern Ontario. CBP data revealed seizures of 927,142 grams in 2024 and 2,092,875 grams in 2025. Lavarah Miller, a Customs and Border Protection watch commander, emphasized that a considerable portion of the seized drugs in Detroit is destined for Canada from the U.S. rather than originating within Canada.
Contrastingly, marijuana seizures by CBP 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, pointed out the limitations in law enforcement data regarding illegal substances, indicating that the actual quantity of undetected drugs crossing the border remains unknown. He emphasized that drug seizure patterns can be influenced by various factors such as chance, law enforcement priorities, or changes in drug circulation.
The appeal of cocaine to criminal networks lies in its stable origin primarily from Colombia and Peru, making it a preferred substance due to established distribution networks and ease of smuggling. Gomis also highlighted an increasing trend in cocaine consumption, with rising purity levels and adulteration with dangerous substances like fentanyl.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime flagged cocaine trafficking as a significant global threat, citing its detrimental impact in Canada. The agency noted that cocaine trafficking typically originates in South American countries and flows through Mexico into the U.S. and Canada.
Enhanced detection methods at border crossings, such as those employed by CBSA at the Ambassador Bridge and the newly opened Gordie Howe International Bridge, include intelligence-based inspections, advanced imaging technologies, and detector dogs to combat drug smuggling activities effectively. At the Gordie Howe bridge, improved inspection capabilities and specialized facilities enable thorough examinations of commercial shipments for illicit substances like fentanyl and methamphetamine.