Port of Montreal fights drug-smuggling reputation

The Port of Montreal had a record-setting year for cargo volume, but more goods passing through the port also means more opportunity for drug smugglers.

CBC News Posted: Jan 04, 2012 10:42 AM EST | Last Updated: January 4, 2012

The Port of Montreal is working to lose its reputation asCanada's drug-smuggling hub.

Last year was a record breaking one for the port: More than 28 million tonnes of cargo passed through, more than ever before.

But questions persist about the security of one of Canadas busiest shipping entry points.

"Montreal, as [with] any other port in the country, because of the volume, it's normal that we're intercepting huge amount of illicit drugs and goods," said Alain Surprenant, chief of operations with the Canadian Border Services Agency at the Montreal port.

Border services said the value of drugs seized at thePort of Montrealwas more than all other Canadian ports combined in 2009.

Only a few weeks ago, authoritiesintercepted $14 million worth of cocaine at the port, concealed in bottles of sunflower oil.

Sylvie Vachon, president of the Montreal Port Authority, said they are working with police and border services to make the port more secure and improve its reputation.

"We try very hard to be a port that's integrated[into the] community and for sure this image is not a good image for us," she said.

Montreal has long been a hub for the drug trade because of its proximity to the U.S., crime expert Andr Cdilot told CBC News.

Organized crime

Criminal organizations like the Mafia and the Hells Angels have used contacts within the port to smuggle the drugs past authorities, he said.

"Even if the police arrest people, organized crime continues to infiltrate the port," he said.

Andr Cdilot says Montreal has long been an entry point for drug smuggling because of its proximity to the U.S.

"Most of the big importers, the main people, theyre in Montreal."

Its only been in the past 10 years that authorities have cracked down on drug smuggling through the port, Cdilot said.

The RCMP has a permanent squad in the Montreal port, and that could be part of the reason why the volume of drugs intercepted there is so high, he said.

Surprenant said all ships entering any Canadian port now have to report their cargo before they reach Canada so authorities canbetter assess whichcontainers to intercept.

"Were working together (with the RCMP) to minimize the impact that organized crime could have on importation at the port," he said.

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