Canadian border agents have their noses to thank after a sweet smelling truck led them to bust a man who was allegedly trying to smuggle $1.5 million worth of cocaine into the country.
A 44-year-old Surrey, B.C. man is facing a number of drug trafficking charges after RCMP say he attempted to conceal 37 kilograms of cocaine in the cab of a semi-trailer truck at the Pacific Highway Border Crossing on Nov. 23.
In an attempt to mask the pungent odour of acetone, which is used to cut the drug, Mounties say he had 13 air fresheners in the cab, including 10 hanging pine tree versions.
Cst. Michael McLaughlin said in a press release that it is very unusual for drug traffickers to hide drugs in the front of a commercial truck because of the strong smell.
The suspect was arrested at the scene but released pending formal charges.
Federal RCMP is working with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration to determine the source of the cocaine.
"There is little doubt that organized crime is responsible for this attempt to violate the border," McLaughlin said.
