INTERNATIONAL COCAINE CHASE ENDS IN ALDER

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INTERNATIONAL COCAINE CHASE ENDS IN ALDERGROVE


Langley RCMP made the largest cocaine seizure in recent B.C. history, after a Quesnel man crashed his car through the Pacific Highway border crossing and was arrested in Aldergrove on Sunday evening.


Police discovered 149 kilograms (327 lb.) of packaged cocaine in a rented car. The street value of the bricks of cocaine seized is estimated at more than $12 million.


"It's no doubt linked to organized crime," said police spokesperson Cpl. Dale Carr. "It's only organized crime that has that kind of funding to move that much product."


The 67-year-old man had been under the watchful eyes of U.S.


authorities when they observed an exchange in Bellingham on Sunday.


After the exchange, the American authorities decided to follow the man. Once they were close to the border, customs officials pulled his vehicle over.


The suspect provided U.S. authorities with his identification, then made a dash for the border, driving over a median, curb and across the lawn and into Canada through the Pacific Highway border crossing.


U.S. Customs had the suspect under surveillance from the air and relayed information to Langley RCMP as the suspect drove towards Aldergrove.


At about 8 p.m., Langley RCMP were able to stop the suspect and place him under arrest at 264 Street and 20 Avenue. Langley RCMP obtained a search warrant to search the vehicle and discovered the packaged cocaine.


"He was arrested without incident. It took 45 minutes from the time he crashed the border to the time Langley RCMP pulled him over. He got out of his car and was taken into custody," said Carr.


Robert Norton Allaire of Quesnel has been charged with importing a controlled substance and possession for the purpose of trafficking.


Allaire is currently in custody and made appearances in Surrey Provincial Court on Monday and Tuesday.