CBSA discloses seizure of 212,000 nicotine pouches at Pigeon River port of entry

Key points 

• The Canada Border Services Agency seized over 200,000 bags of nicotine pouches at the Pikangikum River port of entry; confiscated over $29,000 CAD (approximately $21,170 USD) in cash and checks; 
• The driver was arrested and fined $10,000 CAD (approximately $7,300 USD); 
• The case was handed over to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP); 
• Nicotine pouches are considered natural health products for smoking cessation purposes and require authorization from Health Canada.

2Firsts, December 30, 2025 – According to Newswatch, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) disclosed this week that officers made an unusually large nicotine-pouch seizure earlier this year at the Pigeon River port of entry.

In a Newswatch interview focused on enforcement operations over the past year, a CBSA spokesperson said officers inspecting a vehicle entering Canada in June discovered more than 200,000 nicotine pouches.

Nicotine pouches are small bags typically used in an effort to quit smoking. They contain powdered nicotine, flavourings and other ingredients, and are placed against the gum under the lip in lieu of cigarettes.

According to the report, nicotine pouches are regulated as natural health products for smoking cessation, require Health Canada authorization, and are not approved for recreational use or for use by nonsmokers and people under 18. They can be sold only by pharmacists or under pharmacist supervision, and are restricted to mint or menthol flavours to reduce youth appeal and limit recreational uptake.

In the June 5 incident at Pigeon River, CBSA agents found 212,000 pouches being transported in a cube van driven by a Canadian citizen. Officers also seized more than 29,000 Canadian dollars (about 21,170 U.S. dollars, at 1 CAD = 0.73 USD) in currency and cheques. The driver was arrested and paid a 10,000 Canadian-dollar penalty (about 7,300 U.S. dollars, at 1 CAD = 0.73 USD) before the investigation was handed over to the RCMP for possible further action.

Patrick Deschene, a Sault Ste. Marie-based official with the CBSA’s Northern Ontario region, said, “That definitely stands out. We don’t typically see that magnitude of nicotine being smuggled into the country.”

Image source: Newswatch