Cocaine Shipment Worth $6 Million Seized at Northern Border

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers intercepted a significant drug shipment along the U.S. northern border with Canada, seizing approximately 450 pounds of cocaine valued at an estimated $6 million. The discovery was made last Tuesday at the Lewiston Bridge border crossing.

During a routine inspection of a northbound commercial tractor-trailer, officers identified modifications to the vehicle's floor. A subsequent K-9 inspection led to the uncovering of 174 vacuum-sealed packages containing cocaine.

"This significant seizure highlights the exceptional vigilance, advanced training and relentless dedication of our CBP officers and canine teams at the Lewiston Bridge border crossing," Sharon Swiatek, acting port director for the Area Port of Buffalo, said in a statement.

The seizure occurred amid ongoing efforts by federal agencies to combat the flow of narcotics. While the southern border has historically drawn significant attention, CBP also faces challenges at its northern border and in preventing the smuggling of illicit goods across international routes.

According to CBP data, illegal border crossings at the southern border have seen a substantial decrease since the beginning of 2025, dropping from over 240,000 to approximately 12,200 in August. Encounters at the northern border have also decreased by 64%, from over 17,000 to under 6,100 during the same period.

Despite these reductions, CBP continues to address drug smuggling and other illicit activities. In a separate incident in April, CBP officers prevented a vehicle carrying numerous weapons, including a rocket-propelled grenade launcher and multiple AK rifles, from crossing the border into Mexico.

The cocaine shipment seized last Tuesday has been referred to Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Buffalo for further investigation.