As Canada grapples with a devastating opioid crisis, law enforcement agencies are shifting their focus from imported fentanyl to the chemicals used in its production. The Public Health Agency of Canada reports that over 47,000 Canadians have died from toxic drug overdoses since 2016, with fentanyl involved in four out of five accidental overdose deaths this year. This alarming trend has prompted a re-evaluation of strategies at the country’s borders.
The change in tactics began in 2019 when the Chinese government classified fentanyl as a controlled substance, tightening regulations on its production and export. As a result, criminal organizations have pivoted from importing opioids to smuggling the precursor chemicals necessary for manufacturing fentanyl and other synthetic opioids within Canada. Dan Anson, the director general of the Canada Border Services Agency’s (CBSA) intelligence and investigations directorate, emphasized the rising threat of these precursors. “Precursors might be the primary threat coming into Canada for substances contributing to the deaths of Canadians,” he stated.
However, identifying these precursors at the border poses significant challenges. Many of these chemicals are unregulated, making detection difficult. Anson noted, “It is challenging to find those because you need a level of front-end detection technology capability to identify what the chemical is.” To address these challenges, the Canadian government recently unveiled a comprehensive $1.3 billion plan aimed at enhancing border security and tackling the influx of drugs and migrants.
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This announcement came shortly after the resignation of a key cabinet minister, which raised concerns about the government’s ability to manage cross-border issues. Immigration Minister Marc Miller acknowledged the loss of Chrystia Freeland but expressed confidence in the remaining talent within the government. A substantial portion of the newly allocated funds will focus on regulating precursors and improving interception methods at the border. The government has pledged to leverage artificial intelligence and advanced imaging technology to assist law enforcement in detecting these hazardous chemicals.
In a significant procedural change, Ottawa aims to reduce the processing time for banning precursors from a lengthy 36 months to just six. Additionally, a new “Chemical Precursor Risk Management Unit” will be established within Health Canada to support law enforcement agencies in their efforts to intercept these dangerous substances.
One of the complexities in regulating precursors is that some of them are legal and serve multiple purposes. “Very rarely will you have a chemical that doesn’t have dual-use applications,” Anson explained, noting that many of these substances are commonly used in cleaning and manufacturing. However, Jennifer Pelley, director of Health Canada’s controlled substances and overdose directorate, clarified that all essential chemicals for fentanyl production are illegal in Canada. She emphasized the government’s cautious approach to avoid over-regulating commodity chemicals that have legitimate uses. “The impacts of scheduling under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act would be severe. It would basically shut down a lot of legitimate commerce,” she said.
Organized crime has also resorted to a tactic known as “chemical masking,” where they modify precursors to evade detection. Anson described this technique as not frequent but familiar to authorities. Pelley illustrated the concept using a Lego minifigure analogy, explaining that while the government controls the minifigure, criminals might try to disguise it with different accessories to avoid regulation. However, Health Canada is proactive in staying ahead of these tactics by anticipating how precursors can be altered.
The vast majority of precursors seized at the Canadian border, nearly 100%, originate from China. Anson noted that while other regions may have chemical production facilities, Canada predominantly sees these dangerous substances coming from Chinese sources. Criminals employ various methods to smuggle these chemicals into the country, using everything from marine containers to letter mail.
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As Canada prepares to enhance its detection capabilities through artificial intelligence, Anson warned that organized crime could also leverage this technology to circumvent regulations. “When you’re doing chemical composition and structuring, there are now many more resources available. It might be someone with a sophisticated understanding of chemical chains using AI rather than requiring a highly trained chemist,” he explained.
The ongoing battle against the opioid crisis in Canada is a dynamic and evolving challenge. Law enforcement agencies must continuously adapt to the changing tactics of organized crime. Anson summarized the approach: “We learn from a seizure and then apply that to 100 more seizures, and from those 100 seizures create other targeting rules that will capture patterns that tell us that something might not be right.” As the fight against the opioid epidemic continues, the focus on drug precursors represents a critical front in safeguarding public health and safety.
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