Toronto's police chief recently announced the largest cocaine seizure in the city's history, involving drugs intercepted at the U.S. border. The announcement coincided with President Trump's comments regarding cross-border drug trafficking, where he attributed part of the fentanyl crisis to Canada.
President Trump emphasized the significant flow of fentanyl from Canada and Mexico into the United States, warning that both countries need to strengthen their border controls. He has threatened to impose a 25 percent tariff on exports from Canada and Mexico starting February 1.
Howard Lutnick, the nominee for commerce secretary, echoed Trump's sentiments during his confirmation hearing, urging Canada to take action against fentanyl trafficking. In response to the potential tariffs, the Canadian government has increased border surveillance efforts, including the deployment of drones and canine units.
Despite these measures, Canadian officials have noted that the country plays a limited role in the cross-border fentanyl trade. A recent report indicated a shift in Canada, where domestic production of fentanyl has increased significantly, with around 100 organized crime groups involved in production as of last year.
Law enforcement has discovered clandestine fentanyl labs across Canada, primarily in British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario. Significant seizures, including one that shut down the largest lab in Canada, have revealed connections to Mexican cartels.
In terms of cross-border trafficking, a 2022 report from a U.S. commission found that Canada is not a major source of fentanyl or its precursor chemicals, with only about 19 kilograms of fentanyl intercepted at the northern border last year compared to nearly 9,600 kilograms at the southern border.
Canadian criminal groups tend to focus on the domestic market due to the high competition from Mexican fentanyl. However, they are also expanding into international markets such as Australia and Japan.
Canada maintains stringent regulations on chemical imports, but authorities struggle to keep pace with the evolving tactics of organized crime. Approximately 80 percent of the chemicals needed to produce fentanyl can be legally imported from China or sourced within Canada.
Despite the small quantities of fentanyl being exported to the U.S., Canadian border agencies are establishing new teams to address both the export of fentanyl and the import of synthetic chemicals. Plans are in place to create a border financial crime center to tackle trade-based money laundering and fraud.
Officials are committed to ensuring that Canada does not become a weak link in the fight against drug trafficking.