BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — We're expecting to hear from Homeland Security and Customs and Border Protection Tuesday morning, who are prepared to discuss what they say has been a 'dramatic' increase in drug seizures at the United States-Canada border.
This despite the border being closed to only essential travel and to those who have family members across the border since March 21st, due to COVID-19.
According to the Buffalo Field Office for Customs and Border Protection, since March it's made more than 225 narcotics seizures, totaling nearly 5,000 pounds of drugs.
Compared to the same time last year, this is a 1,600 percent increase.
This includes a massive bust at the Peace Bridge in Buffalo, when officers seized nearly 1,800 pounds of marijuana from a commercial shipment disguised as coffee makers, an estimated street value of $2.5 million.
Homeland Security and Customs and Border Protection are expected to update the public at 11 a.m., Tuesday.
