According to the latest enforcement action statistics, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) captured 1,612 stolen vehicles in the first half of 2024 and seized millions of grams of illicit drugs, including over 5.6 million grams of cannabis products and 786,563 grams of cocaine.
Vehicle theft continues to be a significant issue across Canada, with criminals targeting vehicles for illegal export. The CBSA plays a critical role in preventing these stolen vehicles from leaving the country, working in close collaboration with law enforcement agencies across Canada. The data reveals that between 2018 and 2024, CBSA officers intercepted and detained 8,584 stolen vehicles.
A regional breakdown of the data highlights the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and Quebec as major hotspots for stolen vehicle interceptions. In 2023 alone, CBSA officers intercepted 1,806 vehicles, with the majority of these cases—1,204 in Quebec and 773 in the GTA—illustrating the scale of the issue in these regions. Although the total number of interceptions decreased slightly to 1,612 in 2024, Quebec and the GTA continued to lead in the number of vehicles detained, with 922 and 532 vehicles, respectively.
Stolen Vehicles Intercepted and Detained by Region (2018-2024)
| Region | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic | 73 | 30 | 100 | 118 | 51 | 188 | 63 |
| Quebec | 348 | 605 | 816 | 1020 | 1050 | 1204 | 922 |
| Northern Ontario | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Southern Ontario | 4 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Greater Toronto Area | 25 | 69 | 250 | 194 | 229 | 773 | 532 |
| Prairies | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Pacific | 11 | 55 | 75 | 10 | 6 | 0 | 94 |
| Total | 463 | 766 | 1244 | 1345 | 1348 | 1806 | 1612 |
The CBSA’s enforcement efforts extend beyond vehicle theft to include the detection and seizure of inadmissible goods. The agency’s data for the first quarter of the 2024-2025 fiscal year reveals a wide range of seizures, from narcotics to firearms, reflecting the diverse challenges faced by border services officers.
During the first quarter of the current fiscal year, CBSA officers seized over 5.6 million grams of cannabis products, alongside substantial quantities of other drugs, including 786,563 grams of cocaine and 304,785 grams of hashish. The agency also reported seizing 6.2 million grams of other narcotics and chemicals, highlighting the persistent threat of drug smuggling.
Comparison Table: Seized Goods (First Quarter)
| Commodity | 2023-2024 | 2024-2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Cannabis products (grams) | 5,293,149 | 5,656,165 |
| Hashish (grams) | 2,698 | 304,785 |
| Cocaine/Crack (grams) | 336,882 | 786,563 |
| Heroin (grams) | 5,247 | 67 |
| Fentanyl (grams) | 410 | 209 |
| Other opioids (grams) | 933,343 | 84,514 |
| Other narcotics, drugs and chemicals (grams) | 19,434,454 | 6,221,399 |
| Firearms (number) | 246 | 265 |
| Prohibited weapons (number) | 5,070 | 6,266 |
| Child pornography (number) | 33 | 63 |
| Currency (CAD) | 6,060,349 | 7,719,591 |
| Suspected proceeds of crime (CAD) | 1,471,094 | 1,099,404 |
| Alcohol (litres) | 13,104 | 16,228 |
| Tobacco (cartons) | 4,710 | 58,799 |
| Tobacco (kg) | 166,108 | 196,487 |
| Tobacco (number) | 96,250 | 190,990 |
| Jewellery (number) | 598 | 870 |
In addition to narcotics, the CBSA’s enforcement actions also targeted firearms and prohibited weapons. The agency seized 265 firearms and 6,266 prohibited weapons during the first quarter of 2024-2025, emphasizing the ongoing risk posed by illegal arms smuggling.
The agency’s data also details significant financial seizures, with CBSA officers intercepting over $7.7 million CAD in currency and an additional $1.1 million CAD in suspected proceeds of crime.
As the CBSA continues its work, it faces the ongoing challenge of adapting to evolving threats and criminal tactics. The agency’s enforcement efforts are a critical component of Canada’s national security strategy, ensuring that the country’s borders remain secure in an increasingly complex global environment.