Pubdate: Wed, 26 Jan 2005 Source: Winnipeg Sun (CN MB) Copyright: 2005 Canoe Limited Partnership Contact: http://www.winnipegsun.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/503 Author: Canadian Press CANADA TOPS SALES TO U.S. IN POT, SPEED OTTAWA -- Canada is now the largest single supplier of pot, speed and steroids to the United States, says a top customs official. American authorities are making more seizures at and south of the border, says George Webb, head of counter-terrorism and counter-proliferation for the Canadian Border Services Agency. At the same time, the flow of illegal drugs to Canada from the U.S. appears to have stabilized, according to the agency. Major drug busts at the Canadian border have been fairly consistent since the mid-1990s. "In the old days, the flow of drugs was northbound, coming out of the United States," Webb said yesterday. "We are now their biggest drug supplier, whether it be B.C. bud, methamphetamines or steroids." 974 Large Seizures One American seizure last year yielded the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency more than $500 million worth of methamphetamines. Last year, there were 974 large seizures of drugs coming into Canada, with a total street value of about $269.7 million, the agency reports. That's down marginally from the 1,063 seizures in 2003, when the value was pegged at $600 million. There were 932 significant seizures in 2002 worth $292.8 million and 873 seizures in 2001 worth $865 million. Shipments of processed ecstasy into Canada have fallen off in the past year or two, Webb said, while criminals have begun importing raw materials and processing the drug in-country. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth