A portion of tobacco and nicotine products seized in August at Southern Ontario land ports of entry.

ONTARIO - Canadian border patrol officers seized more than $13.8 million-worth of illicit tobacco and nicotine products at land ports of entry across Southern Ontario last month.

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) reported the seizures on Friday, noting that a significant portion of them were contained in commercial shipments from the United States. Notable seizures in August across the region included:


14,964 kg of loose-leaf tobacco, valued at $2,765,969, seized Aug. 20 at the Blue Water Bridge

1,781,000 cigarettes, valued at $333,189, seized Aug. 17 at the Ambassador Bridge

15,222 kg of loose-leaf tobacco, valued at $2,809,921, seized Aug. 14 at the Blue Water Bridge

2,796 kg of nicotine pouches, valued at $2,983,499, seized Aug. 11 at the Blue Water Bridge

3,000 kg of waterpipe tobacco, valued at $299,820, seized Aug. 6 at the Peace Bridge

7,658 kg of nicotine and tobacco products, valued at $2,704,524, seized Aug. 2 at the Queenston Bridge

Michael Prosia, CBSA regional director general for Southern Ontario, attributed the seizures on Friday to the  skill, experience and determination  of the agency's frontline officers.

 Guided by intelligence and supported by tools such as handheld devices, X-ray technology and detector dogs, our officers use their specialized training and expertise to identify contraband and other prohibited or restricted goods,  he said in a news release.  Their knowledge and vigilance are critical to our enforcement efforts. 

In recent years, Canada has invested around $1.3 billion to bolster security at the border, according to the CBSA. That includes $355.4 million for the Canada Border Services Agency.

CBSA officers in the Southern Ontario Region have seized more than $52.2 million in tobacco and nicotine products so far this year.

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