Another large seizure of marijuana at Niagara border crossing

Border officials continue to seize large quantities of marijuana at Niagara border crossings.

On Sunday U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Queenston-Lewiston Bridge discovered 1.5 tonnes of marijuana in vacuum-sealed bags hidden in shipping boxes in a tractor-trailer.

The cargo had been manifested as zinc oxide.

The marijuana had an estimated street value of $5.3 million.

The incident adds to the steady recent increase in drug seizures within the CBP Buffalo field office, which includes 16 ports of entry throughout New York including border crossings in Niagara.

On June 25, for example, border agents at the Peace Bridge discovered more than $27 million in marijuana hidden in a tractor-trailer at the Peace Bridge.

On Aug. 10, nearly two tonnes of marijuana with a street value of $10 million was discovered inside a trailer at the Peace Bridge.

Restrictions on cross-border travel began March 21. The Canada-U.S. border remains closed to all non-essential travel until at least Sept. 21.

Alison Langley is a St. Catharines-based reporter for the Niagara Falls Review. Reach her via email: alison.langley@niagaradailies.com