U.S. border dog detects marijuana inside vehicle of 2 Canadian citizens

Photo provided by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency shows marijuana hidden inside the door panels of a vehicle driven by two Canadian citizens. (X/CBPBuffalo)

Two Canadian citizens have been arrested at a land border crossing in New York after six bags of marijuana were found hidden inside a vehicle.

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency made the arrest on Saturday at the Lewiston Bridge port of entry.

In a news release, CBP said a narcotics detector dog alerted officers about a Mercedes-Benz SUV with Ontario licence plates that had just arrived at the crossing.

As a result, the vehicle was escorted to a secondary inspection area where, during a scan, “anomalies” were detected on the rear quarter panel and the trunk door, CBP said.

“Officers examined the anomalies and discovered six vacuum-sealed bags of a green leafy substance. That substance tested positive for the properties of marijuana,” CBP said.

They noted that the marijuana weighed about 2.72 kilograms and was estimated to be worth around US$16,000.

The driver, identified as 43-year-old Andrea Seivewright, and the passenger, 35-year-old Daniel Hughes, were subsequently arrested and turned over to the Lewiston Police Department.

They have been charged with felony second-degree possession of marijuana.