Canada has intensified its efforts to combat money laundering and illegal fentanyl trafficking, launching a comprehensive financial intelligence sharing partnership with law enforcement and the country's six largest banks. This initiative aims to curb the flow of illicit funds linked to fentanyl, a potent opioid contributing to the ongoing drug crisis. In addition, Canada has implemented air surveillance to bolster patrols by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and border agency marine units, alongside joint patrols facilitated by Shiprider units, where U.S. and Canadian officers collaborate across the border.
The Canadian government has significantly increased border personnel, now totaling 10,000 officers, including border officers, RCMP, and other police forces. Despite these efforts, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has dismissed U.S. critiques of Canada's border management as unfounded.
"Completely bogus, completely unjustified, completely false."
- Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
Statistics reveal that Canada accounts for less than one percent of fentanyl seized at the northern border and fewer than one percent of illegal crossings into the United States. Furthermore, recent diplomatic engagements with China have resulted in Beijing agreeing to schedule two critical precursor chemicals for international control, enabling Canada to share information on Chinese companies exporting concerning substances.
In June 2024, Canada reported a 90 percent reduction in illegal border crossings into the U.S. This success is attributed to tightened visa requirements, increased investigations into visa fraud, and the accelerated removal of failed asylum claimants. The government has also introduced several new measures at land borders, such as installing 15 surveillance towers equipped with high-resolution cameras, deploying 100 handheld chemical analysis instruments, and utilizing nine detector dog teams specializing in fentanyl detection. Additional resources include 50 ion scanners and 30 imaging technology tools to enhance border inspections.
In December, the federal government unveiled a $1.3-billion plan aimed at bolstering border security and monitoring capabilities. This announcement coincided with a major RCMP operation targeting fentanyl, which led to 524 arrests and the seizure of substantial drug quantities. Concurrently, Operation Blizzard, initiated by the Canada Border Services Agency, successfully intercepted fentanyl and illegal precursor chemicals from entering or leaving the country.
Moreover, the Canadian Space Agency is employing satellite imagery to monitor the entire Canada-U.S. land border, excluding Alaska. This technological advancement seeks to enhance oversight and response efficiency at border crossings.
To dismantle and disrupt organized crime networks involved in fentanyl trafficking, Canada has listed seven cartels as terrorist entities under the Criminal Code. This designation facilitates law enforcement's ability to target these organizations more effectively. The government recently allocated an additional $200 million to intensify efforts against organized crime.
