CALGARY, Alta. – An 18-year-old from Winnipeg is facing multiple serious drug charges after Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers discovered approximately 30 kilograms of methamphetamine in luggage at the Calgary International Airport last month.
According to a joint news release issued Monday by the CBSA and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), the incident occurred on June 23, 2025. CBSA officers conducting outbound luggage examinations flagged a bag destined for Narita, Japan, due to abnormalities. A subsequent search revealed the large quantity of methamphetamine concealed inside.
Officials stated that the traveler associated with the luggage had already boarded their flight. CBSA officers intervened, boarding the aircraft to arrest and remove the individual without incident.
The investigation was then handed over to Alberta’s Integrated Border Enforcement Team (IBET), a collaborative unit comprising the RCMP, CBSA, and the Calgary Police Service.
Mariane Lee, 18, of Winnipeg, Manitoba, has been arrested and charged with possession for the purpose of exporting, possession for the purpose of trafficking, and attempting to export prohibited goods under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and the Customs Act.
Lee is scheduled to make her first court appearance today, July 28, 2025, at the Alberta Court of Justice in Calgary.
Officials from all three participating agencies highlighted the importance of their partnership in securing the country’s borders.
“This seizure demonstrates the dedication and expertise of CBSA’s border services officers as they work to prevent illegal drugs from breaching our borders,” said Janalee Bell-Boychuk, Regional Director General for the Prairie Region at CBSA. “Through our key partnerships with the RCMP and the Calgary Police Service, the CBSA works to disrupt those attempting to smuggle illegal narcotics and hold them accountable.”
Supt. Sean Boser of the RCMP Federal Policing Northwest Region echoed the sentiment, stating, “Stopping drug exportation starts with strong partnerships. Together, we can dismantle trafficking networks and protect communities here and around the world.”
Acting Supt. Shanon Scott of the Calgary Police Service added, “Drug trafficking is not confined by borders, and neither is our commitment to stopping it all. By working with our partners, we can continue to disrupt these types of criminal networks that fuel exploitation in our communities.”
