Border officer charged after truck full of opium, cannabis, tobacco crosses into Ontario: RCMP

A bird flies near the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge connecting Niagara Falls, Ont., and Niagara Falls, N.Y., on Monday, Nov. 8, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Tijana Martin

A Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officer is facing several charges after he allegedly allowed a transport truck filled with millions of dollars worth of opium, cannabis, and tobacco to cross the border into Niagara Region, the RCMP says.

In a news release issued Friday, the RCMP confirmed that the officer, who was employed at the Queenston-Lewiston port of entry in Niagara-on-the-Lake, was first arrested in January after he “did not follow CBSA policy” when he permitted a truck filled with contraband to enter Canada.

The driver of the transport truck was also arrested at that time, the news release confirmed.

On March 6, the RCMP said, the CBSA officer, identified as Daniel Notarianni, and the driver, identified as Abhishek Abhishek, were charged with conspiracy to import a Schedule 1 substance, trafficking a controlled substance, importation of a Schedule 1 substance, possession for the purpose of trafficking, distribution of a Schedule 1 substance, and transportation and possession of tobacco for the purpose of sale.

Notarianni is expected to appear in court in Welland, Ont. on March 23, 2026, according to police. Abhishek is expected to appear in court on April 9, 2026.

“This investigation highlights the strength of the partnership between the RCMP and the CBSA in maintaining a secure border. When the CBSA brought this information forward, our members were able to respond quickly and carry out a careful, impartial investigation,” Superintendent Dale Foote said in the news release.

“The charges announced today reflect our commitment to upholding the law with integrity and consistency.”