Prosecutions and Seizures

Southern Ontario Region

19 kilograms of suspected cocaine seized at the Ambassador Bridge

Windsor, Ontario, May 31, 2013 – The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), Southern Ontario Region, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Windsor Detachment, announced today that CBSA officers seized approximately 19 kilograms of suspected cocaine at the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor, Ontario.

On May 28, 2013, an Ontario-plated tractor-trailer was referred for a secondary examination at the Ambassador Bridge Commercial Operations. During the examination, CBSA officers discovered a duffle bag containing 19 kilograms (19 bricks) of suspected cocaine in a storage compartment located inside the tractor.

The CBSA arrested the driver and, as a result of a cooperative investigation, the RCMP charged Goudarz Daroughi Zilaie from Richmond Hill, Ontario with unlawfully importing a controlled substance contrary to section 6(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA), and possession of a substance for the purpose of trafficking contrary to section 5(2) of the CDSA.

"This significant suspected cocaine seizure demonstrates the excellent work being done by our border services officers. Our officers are committed to stopping the smuggling of illegal drugs at our borders," said Rick Comerford, Regional Director General, Southern Ontario Region. "The CBSA works closely with the RCMP to protect the safety and security of Canadians."

"This interception has stopped over 38,000 half-gram decks of cocaine from reaching individuals in our communities", stated Inspector Serge Cote, officer in charge of the Windsor RCMP detachment. "The safety, security and well-being of Canadians are the ultimate goal of the RCMP and CBSA".

Zilaie attended court on May 29 and has been remanded for a video appearance on June 3 at the Ontario Court of Justice in Windsor, Ontario.

This investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Ontario RCMP at 1-800-387-0020, the CBSA Border Watch Line at 1-888-502-9060 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

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For media information

Canada Border Services Agency
Southern Ontario Region
905-354-2011 or 519-967-4330

Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Windsor Detachment
519-995-8372

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