Dubai Police tip-off leads to Canada's record 2.5 tonne opium haul worth $37m

Officers in the UAE provided information about 19 shipping containers being transported to Vancouver

The pallets used to conceal opium seized by Canadian authorities, following a Dubai Police tip-off. Dubai Police

Dubai Police on Friday gave details of their role in helping Canada to make its largest opium haul yet.

Canadian authorities in December announced that they had confiscated nearly 2.5 tonnes of opium, worth an estimated 50 million Canadian dollars ($37 million), in the western port city of Vancouver.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police Assistant Commissioner Will Ng said the joint investigation “has undoubtedly put a dent in organised crime”.

Dubai Police had alerted their Canadian counterparts with a tip-off about 19 shipping containers going to Canada that were suspected of containing drugs.

The information included the route through five countries to their destination.

Dubai Police stayed in contact with the Canadian authorities and tracked the shipment's itinerary for nearly 73 days until it arrived at Vancouver, said officials.

On October 25, the Canada Border Services Agency examined goods within the 19 suspected containers.

Using detection tools, including X-rays, officers discovered irregularities in the shipping pallets that were part of deep concealment method, said officials.

Further examination revealed about 2,486 kilograms of opium within 247 pallets.

Mr Ng thanked the General Department of Anti-narcotics at Dubai Police for its contribution to the operation.

“The joint investigation contributed to keeping nearly 2,500 kilograms of opium with an estimated street value of over 50 million Canadian dollars from entering the province of British Columbia,” he said.