DEA Administrator Reports Fentanyl Precursors Entering Canada via Vancouver Port, Notes Recent Seizures

DEA Administrator Terrance Cole stated that chemicals used to make fentanyl are streaming into the Port of Vancouver on their way to drug labs run by Mexican cartels on Canadian soil. U.S. law enforcement officials are very conscious of fentanyl being manufactured in Canada for export across the border.

He added that there have been significant seizures of fentanyl in Canada over the past two months. U.S. Senate appropriations committee hearing into the annual budget requests by the DEA, the FBI and other federal law enforcement agencies.

In response to a question from Republican Sen. Deb Fischer about changes in the drug trade, Cole spoke about fentanyl trafficking from Mexico then pivoted to Canada. "We need to make sure that we keep an eye on the northern border as well.

We see more precursors coming into the Port of Vancouver, coming into Canada," Cole said. Canadian traffickers then ship the precursors to locations around the country for manufacturing and have started producing fentanyl in Canada with the Mexican cartels, he added. "And then it comes across our northern border.

U.S. Marshals Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. From a DEA perspective the agency is keeping its eye on Canada, Cole told the Senate committee.

U.S. Consulate in Vancouver. Cole said the agency intends to open two more offices in Canada in 2027. U.S. officials seized 77 pounds (35 kilograms) of fentanyl in 2025 along the northern border.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection statistics. Arpen Rana, senior communications advisor for the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, stated that the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority works with local police forces, the RCMP, Canada Border Services Agency, and terminal operators on ensuring secure trade through the port.

Rana stated that the port authority has partnered with CBSA on state-of-the-art container inspection facilities. U.S. or abroad.

Bérubé stated that Canada's border is strong and we are making it stronger. 3 billion border security plan including stepped-up law enforcement patrols and appointed a fentanyl czar. President Donald Trump hit Canada with tariffs last year based on his declaration that the flow of drugs across the northern border constituted a national emergency.

U.S. Supreme Court struck down the tariff regime in February, ruling Trump had overstepped his powers as president. Cbc reported all of the above details from Cole's testimony and the responses of Canadian officials.