News release

Joint investigation leads to arrests in transnational drug exportation case

February 18, 2026 - Surrey, British Columbia
From: Federal Policing Pacific Region

Content

A joint investigation between the RCMP Federal Policing Pacific Region (FPPR), Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), and the Australian Federal Police (AFP) has resulted in arrests, charges and convictions of multiple individuals in Australia in connection with a major drug exportation operation.

This operation, which began in 2022, involved significant quantities of methamphetamine discovered hidden in jugs labeled as canola oil destined for export to Australia. 

Between December 2022 to June 2023, CBSA seized five shipments containing liquid methamphetamine totalling over 2500 kgs concealed in canola oil containers destined for Australia. All the shipments used similar packaging of a particular brand of canola oil in 17.3 litre containers in boxes labelled as canola oil. An additional shipment contained crystal methamphetamine totalling over 204 kgs. 

• See previous media release here: The CBSA makes four significant methamphetamine seizures in BC, including largest to date - Canada.ca

As a result of the coordinated efforts and expertise of our investigators, CBSA officers, and international counterparts, the AFP executed targeted enforcement, leading to multiple arrests across Victoria and New South Wales. As a result, eight individuals were charged and convicted with a number of drug-related offences with the final accused sentenced today (February 18, 2026) in Australia. Among those charged were seven Australian citizens and one American citizen.

This outcome marks a significant milestone in the ongoing investigation into an organized transnational crime network that has attempted to use our borders to traffic illicit drugs across jurisdictions.

Quotes

“This is an excellent example of international policing cooperation at its best. Our officers working shoulder-to-shoulder with the CBSA officers and our international law enforcement partners, helped build a case that has led to serious charges being laid overseas. While the individuals arrested are not from Canada, this investigation shows that transnational crime networks are far-reaching, and our commitment to disrupting them does not stop at our borders.” 

- Stephen Lee, Acting Regional Commander, RCMP Federal Policing Pacific Region

“The fight to disrupt transnational organized crime is a global effort.  The Canada Border Services Agency is working alongside the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and our international law enforcement partners to dismantle crime networks that threaten the safety of our communities. This case sends a clear message: organized crime has no place to hide. Those who attempt to exploit our communities will be stopped through strong, unified action."

- Nina Patel, Regional Director General, Canada Border Services Agency, Pacific Region

“Illicit importations threaten Australia’s national security and place significant burden on the country. These hideous substances destroy individuals, families, and communities, so the seizures under this operation have saved lives. The AFP’s partnerships with international and domestic law enforcement agencies remain crucial to us being able to arrest and prosecute Australia’s most significant organized criminal actors, removing their criminal influence and disrupting their networks.”  

- Raegan Stewart, Acting Assistant Commissioner, Australian Federal Police

Quick facts

• Canada is investing $1.3 billion to bolster security at the border and strengthen the immigration system, all while keeping Canadians safe. Information available on the Border Plan is available here: The Government of Canada’s Border Plan: significant investments to strengthen border security and our immigration system
• The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) are committed to intercepting and investigating smuggling attempts at our border and disrupting organized crime.
• The RCMP supports the CBSA’s mandate at the ports of entry from inbound and outbound criminal threats through criminal investigations and prosecutions related to narcotic smuggling.
• With a presence across Canada, the RCMP is uniquely positioned to protect our border between ports of entry.
• The RCMP and the CBSA work closely in an investigative capacity, along with other domestic and international law enforcement partners, to combat the impact that cross border criminal activity is having on our communities.
• The RCMP works with the CBSA to protect Canada from inbound and outbound criminal threats through criminal investigations and prosecutions related to narcotic smuggling.
• Smuggling narcotics and other Customs Act contraventions may lead to prosecution in a court of law. For foreign nationals, this may mean removal from Canada and a ban on returning to Canada.
• For the latest contraband statistics, visit Canada Border Services Agency seizures.
• If you have information about suspicious cross-border activity, please contact the CBSA Border Watch Line at 1-888-502-9060.

Contacts