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240 pounds of cocaine confiscated at border in Montana

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Posted at 8:48 AM, Feb 11, 2021
and last updated 2021-02-11 10:48:00-05

An inspection at the U.S.-Canadian border in Montana has resulted in a huge cocaine seizure.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of Field Operations Area Port of Sweetgrass says that 240 pounds of cocaine was found inside a commercial truck on Jan. 30. The Port of Sweetgrass is north of Shelby on Interstate 15.

According to a news release, CBP officers encountered a Canadian man driving a commercial truck driver that was referred for further inspection during outbound inspection operations.

It was during a closer inspection of the vehicle that CBP officers discovered boxes containing a substance identified through testing as cocaine.

“Our frontline CBP officers utilized their training and experience along with our high-tech tools and that effective combination led to the seizure of 240 pounds of cocaine in the cargo environment,” said Area Port Director Jason Greene, Sweetgrass Port of Entry.

“The ability to facilitate lawful trade and travel while maintaining a robust enforcement focus is a critical element to our border security mission,” said Greene.

The unidentified truck driver was arrested, and the case turned over to the United States Attorney’s Office for prosecution. He was identified only as a 39-year-old man from Calgary, Alberta.