Canada Seizes Thousands of Litres Chinese Fentanyl Precursors in Major Delta Operation

In May 2025, Canadian authorities seized over 4,300 litres of precursor chemicals used to manufacture fentanyl and other illicit drugs from two marine containers shipped from China to Calgary, marking one of the largest such seizures in British Columbia in recent years. The shipment contained 3,600 litres of 1,4 Butanediol, a chemical used to produce GHB, 500 litres of propionyl chloride, a fentanyl precursor, and 200 litres of Gamma butyrolactone, concealed within clear jugs and blue drums at the Tsawwassen Container Examination Facility in Delta. This seizure underscores ongoing concerns about global trafficking networks exploiting port security vulnerabilities in Metro Vancouver and highlights the collaboration between the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in combating organized crime. Experts noted the complexity of disrupting extensive international criminal networks, especially given their digital sophistication, but emphasized the critical role of enforcement in addressing the drug crisis. Canadian officials, including CBSA and public safety representatives, affirmed their commitment to safeguarding communities by intercepting such shipments and continuing investigations into the importation channels. The operation also aligns with pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump on Canadian authorities to intensify efforts against fentanyl trafficking through Canadian ports.