U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced last week that officers at the Grand Portage port of entry seized 7.04 pounds of marijuana from a Quebec man.
CBP Public Affairs Liaison Brian King said that on Jan. 10 at approximately 1 p.m., CBP officers were screening traffic arriving from Canada when a white Dodge Caravan was observed cutting across the port of entry inbound lanes in an attempt to circumvent the port of entry inbound inspection process. CBP officers took immediate action and secured the vehicle and lone male occupant.
King said the vehicle was driven by a 46-year-old man identified as a Canadian citizen and resident of Quebec. Upon inspection of the vehicle CBP officers discovered 7.04 pounds of marijuana, 40 grams of hashish, and other drug related paraphernalia.
The driver of the vehicle was taken into custody and turned over to local authorities for further prosecution. A Cook County Sheriff Deputy responded but did not take the party into custody. The deputy contacted the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, which took the man into custody.
Cook County Sheriff Mark Falk said such incidents happen several times a year, when motorists get turned around leaving Thunder Bay, Ontario. Falk said they believe they are traveling across country in Canada and are surprised when they reach the Grand Portage border crossing. “This was a case of a wrong turn,” said Falk.
King said independent research groups estimate seven pounds of marijuana as having a street value of approximately $32,000.
“Protecting our borders is what the dedicated men and women of CBP do on a daily basis,” said Mary Delaquis, Pembina area port director. “Keeping illegal narcotics out of our country and off the streets is the direct result of the vigilance and dedication displayed by the officers at the Grand Portage port of entry.”
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