There are 83,000 fewer hits of cocaine on the streets B.C., including those of Northern communities struggling with the substance's presence, thanks to a huge drug bust at the U.S.-Canada border.
On Dec. 16, a Washington State couple failed to make it across the Grand Forks, B.C. border with $3.5 million of cocaine, despite it being uniquely hidden in their Dodge mini van.
RCMP Cpl. Craig Douglass, Prince George media relations officer, said although there's no way to know for sure, it's quite possible the suspects' intent was to distribute the cocaine throughout Prince George, Fort St. John, Fort McMurray and others.
"I think it would have had a significant impact on the drug industry in the province," said Douglass.
Officers with Canada Border Services Agency suspected Scott Powers, 49, and Diane Powers, 55, were lying about their journey upon their arrival at the border, so the authorities called in investigators.
RCMP and the Southeast Federal Drug Section searched the vehicle, discovering small amounts of marijuana and a mother lode of 83 packages of cocaine weighing one kilogram each stashed in two sophisticated, electronically-operated compartments originally used as Stow 'n Go seats.
Police say the one-kilogram packages are consistent with drug trafficking and the total value of the drugs is about $3.5 million Canadian.
"That's about 83,000 doses of cocaine that will never contribute to the physical and emotional toll of addiction, and will take profit out of the hands of drug dealers," said Const. Michael McLaughlin, Federal Operations media relations officer.
The two were arrested, appeared in court Dec. 17, and are detained until their trial. They each face one count of importation of a controlled substance and possession for the purpose of trafficking.
