Ottawa: The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) have arrested an American driver while attempting to enter Canada with 181 kilograms of cannabis and US$602,985 of undeclared currency in his vehicle.
The CBSA arrested Toppenberg, 60, of Tustin, California. He was following GPS coordinates that were entered improperly. He took a wrong turn and ended up in the border line up at the CBSA Rainbow Bridge port of entry in Niagara Falls, Ontario, police said in a statement on Monday.
According to the information, on May 2, 2023, Andrew Lee Toppenberg, arrived at the Rainbow Bridge port of entry in Niagara Falls, Ontario, where he was referred for a secondary examination. During the inspection of the vehicle, border services officers seized these drugs.
The suspect has been charged for possession of 181 kg of cannabis for the purpose of distribution contrary to s.9(2) of the Cannabis Act, importing 181 kg of cannabis contrary to s.11(1) of the Cannabis Act and possession of proceeds of property over five thousand dollars knowing that all or part of the proceeds of property was obtained by a crime in the United States of America contrary to s.354(1)(b) of the Criminal Code.
Marco Mendicino, Minister of Public Safety said that Toppenberg is currently held in custody. His next court date has not been scheduled.