September 03, 2007  Washington/ Canada border
Female Canadian arrested by Customs during an outbound inspection for having 77 pounds of cocaine

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Peace Arch port of entry seized 77 pounds of cocaine during an outbound vehicle examination on Labor Day.

Officers working in the northbound traffic lanes discovered the cocaine concealed in a compartment and the spare tire under the rear cargo section of a Ford Explorer destined for Canada. Examination of the vehicle revealed numerous vacuum-packed cocaine-filled packages. The vehicle was also seized.

Robbyn Blankinship, 29, a Canadian citizen who resides in Vancouver, BC, was arrested at the port and had her initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Seattle yesterday, September 4th, 2007. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is investigating the case.

Blankinship arrived at the Peace Arch crossing headed northbound to Canada on Monday afternoon and stated she had made an overnight trip to a casino in the Marysville area. Inspection of the vehicle revealed vacuum sealed bricks which field tested positive for cocaine. The gross weight of the bags and cocaine was 34.92 kilograms.

Customs and Border Protection acting Area Port Director Jay Brandt congratulated the Blaine officers involved in the seizure. "This significant seizure is a result of our continued vigilance. CBP officers continue to make significant narcotics seizures along the US-Canada border, both inbound and outbound," Brandt said. "This case illustrates the bi-directional nature of smuggling along the US-Canada border here in the Pacific Northwest." The cocaine has an estimated street value of over one million dollars.
 
Source: US Customs