News release from the Alberta RCMP

On March 8, 2025, Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers discovered and seized approximately 108 kg of cocaine following a secondary examination of a commercial transport vehicle at the Coutts port of entry in southern Alberta. The vehicle’s load originated from the United States and the drugs were hidden in the vehicle.

The Integrated Border Enforcement Team in Alberta, a joint force operation between the RCMP Federal Policing Northwest Region, CBSA and Calgary Police Service, was notified and a criminal investigation was initiated into the individual.

Arshdeep Singh, 26, a resident of Calgary, was arrested and charged with:

• Importation of a controlled substance contrary to section 6(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act; and,
• Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking contrary to section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

Singh is scheduled to appear at the Alberta Court of Justice in Lethbridge on May 7, 2025.

“Stopping dangerous drugs from coming into Canada is part of the CBSA’s commitment to keeping our communities and our streets safe. This significant seizure demonstrates the important work being done by our border services officers as we continue to secure and protect our border alongside our law enforcement partners, the RCMP and the Calgary Police Service.”

• Ben Tame, Director, Southern Alberta and Southern Saskatchewan District, Canada Border Services Agency

“Thanks to the collaboration between agencies, a significant load of cocaine was intercepted before it could bring harm to communities throughout Alberta and drug trafficking charges were laid against the driver. This successful operation highlights the importance of a strong and secure border as well as the teamwork and shared intelligence required to protect the public from the devastating impacts of illicit drugs.”

• Supt. Sean Boser, Officer in Charge of Federal Serious and Organized Crime and Border Integrity – Alberta, RCMP Federal Policing Northwest Region

“Working together with our law enforcement partners is key to stopping drug trafficking. By intercepting these drugs, which came through the USA, we’ve kept harmful substances out of our communities and collectively made our cities safer. Together, we remain committed to preserving public safety and disrupting these criminal organizations.”

• Supt. Jeff Bell, Criminal Operations & Intelligence Division, Calgary Police Service

Joint statement: Premier Smith, Minister Jean respond to Build Canada Now letter

Premier Danielle Smith and Minister of Energy and Minerals Brian Jean issued the following statement on industry group “Build Canada Now” calling on federal party leaders to call an energy crisis and prioritize energy projects:

“Alberta’s energy sector has long been the economic engine of Canada and has never been more critical to Canadian sovereignty and prosperity.

“During the last decade of Liberal-NDP government, multiple destructive energy policies have resulted in more than $280 billion dollars in projects being delayed, cancelled or shut in by the proponents. These are projects that would have created tens of thousands of jobs, generated hundreds of billions in government revenues, secured energy security for Eastern Canada and made our nation less dependent on the United States.

“Ottawa’s elected eco-extremists have done everything they can to keep our oil and gas in the ground – that has to change now.

“We wholeheartedly support the call by Canada’s energy business leaders to find a new way of getting major projects built. Over the last couple of months, we have seen the discussion around our oil and gas shifting across the country, and these industry leaders have captured this spirit perfectly in their letter to the federal party leaders.

“The world is desperately looking for predictable, affordable and accessible energy. Alberta has one of the largest oil and gas deposits on the planet, including by far the largest of any free and democratic nation. Our recently released study on Alberta’s oil and gas reserves found 1.36 quadrillion cubic feet of gas and 1.8 trillion barrels of oil, of which more than 130 trillion cubic feet of gas and 167 billion barrels of oil are recoverable with today’s technology.

“To leave this treasured resource in the ground would be an outright betrayal of current and future generations of Canadians. And yet, that has been the mantra of the Liberal-NDP government for the last decade.

“The new prime minister needs to call an election immediately so the next government can begin to undo the tremendous damage the previous federal government has done to this country, and most especially, to Alberta.”