A truck driver was arrested at the Blue Water Bridge crossing when he was found to be carrying more than 55 pounds of methamphetamine.
According to the Canada Border Services Agency, a tractor-trailer that was stopped and searched on the Canadian side of the Blue Water Bridge Thursday, May 9, was found to contain 23 packages that tested positive for meth. Officials seized 25.05 kilograms of meth, and two manila envelopes containing $126,000 in U.S. currency.
The truck’s driver, 42-year old Branislav Barac of Mississauga, Ontario, Canada was arrested, and charged with:
- One count of importing a controlled substance, contrary to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA)
- One count of possession for the purpose of trafficking a controlled substance (methamphetamine), contrary to the CDSA
- One count of trafficking of a controlled substance, contrary to the CDSA
- One count of possession of property or proceeds of property in currency of the USA, over $5,000, contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada (CCC)
- One count of possession of property or proceeds of property in currency of the USA, over $5,000, contrary to the CCC
- One count of possession of currency with the intent to conceal or convert those proceeds, contrary to the CCC
- One count of failing to report to an officer the importation of currency, greater than $10,000
Authorities continue their investigation.
The Blue Water Bridge links Port Huron, Michigan and Sarnia, Ontario, Canada. It connects Highway 402 in Ontario with both Interstate 69 and Interstate 94 in Michigan.