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N.B. Ford dealership finds meth in tire as part of Mexico drug-smuggling investigation

A Ford dealership reported a suspicious spare tire to police, who found seven kilograms of what's believed to be methamphetamine inside. Woodstock Police Service

A New Brunswick car dealership made an unexpected discovery in one of its vehicles: seven kilograms of methamphetamine.

Woodstock Police Force says they were contacted by Corey Ford on Feb. 7 about a suspicious spare tire that did not match the make and model of the vehicle.

Police say they seized the tire and found the drugs.

It’s believed the discovery is linked to a recent multi-jurisdictional investigation into drugs sent to Canada by a notorious Mexican cartel.

On Feb. 27, Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) reported that contraband drugs had been concealed in new vehicles built at a Ford plant in Mexico, and then transported to Canada on rail cars.

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Authorities first became aware of the drugs in December 2018, when Ford dealership employees at four Ontario communities called police about beige-taped packages lined in tires.

The drugs were found with Ford Fusion vehicles.

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“The powerful Sinaloa cartel is well entrenched in that area of Mexico,” said OPP Supt. Bryan MacKillop on Feb. 27. “We are very certain that they are ultimately responsible for these drugs.”

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Woodstock police say they asked Ford Motor Company to find out where the remaining vehicles were shipped. It was discovered that vehicles on a different rail car, but from the same shipment from Mexico, made their way to Quebec to be sent to dealerships in Quebec and Woodstock.

The investigation now includes the Canada Border Services Agency, Sûreté du Québec, and Woodstock Police Force.

In total, 180 kilograms of meth has been intercepted, according to police.

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