BILLINGS — An inspection at the U.S.-Canada border in Montana has resulted in a huge cocaine seizure.
A news release from the U.S. Customs & Border Protection Office of Field Operations Area Port of Sweetgrass says that 240 pounds of cocaine was found inside a commercial truck on January 30. The Port of Sweetgrass is north of Shelby on Interstate 15.
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 truck driver was arrested, and the case turned over to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for prosecution. His name has not yet been released, but was identified as a 39-year-old man from Calgary, Alberta.
