Community Alert: CBSA Officer and Truck Driver Charged in Major Drug & Tobacco Importation Case Near Niagara-on-the-Lake

Section 1: Summary of the Alert

The RCMP Federal Policing – Central Region has charged a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officer and a commercial truck driver in connection with an alleged large-scale importation of illicit drugs and tobacco through the Queenston-Lewiston port of entry in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. The case centres on a transport truck and trailer that investigators say crossed into Canada carrying contraband valued in the millions of dollars.

According to RCMP investigators, the CBSA officer, identified as Daniel Notarianni, was arrested in January 2026 after an internal CBSA referral led to a federal policing investigation. RCMP allege that CBSA procedures were not followed, and a truck driven by Abhishek Abhishek was permitted entry while loaded with opium, cannabis products and tobacco. A warrant of arrest for Notarianni was executed on March 6, 2026. Abhishek has already made a court appearance, and Notarianni is scheduled to appear later in March.

Section 2: Official Details from RCMP

The investigation began when CBSA shared information with the RCMP Federal Policing – Central Region about concerns involving an officer assigned to the Queenston-Lewiston border crossing. RCMP state that their follow-up investigation determined that standard CBSA policies were not applied in relation to a specific commercial transport truck and trailer entering Canada. That truck was later found to be carrying:

• Suspected opium (Schedule I substance)
• Various cannabis products
• Significant quantities of tobacco

RCMP estimate the total value of the seized contraband in the transport truck to be in the range of millions of dollars.

As a result of the investigation, both Daniel Notarianni (CBSA officer) and Abhishek Abhishek (transport truck driver) have been arrested and charged. RCMP Federal Policing – Central Region, through its Niagara-on-the-Lake Border Integrity unit, executed an arrest warrant for Notarianni on March 6, 2026.

The following charges have been laid against both individuals, as reported by RCMP:

• Conspiracy to import a Schedule I substance, contrary to section 6(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and section 465(1)(c) of the Criminal Code.
• Trafficking a controlled substance, contrary to section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
• Importation of a Schedule I substance, contrary to section 6(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
• Possession of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking (3 counts), contrary to section 11(1) of the Cannabis Act.
• Distribution of a Schedule I substance under the Cannabis Act (3 counts), contrary to section 9(2) of the Cannabis Act.
• Transportation and possession of tobacco for the purpose of sale, contrary to section 121.1(1) of the Criminal Code.

Court dates reported by RCMP are as follows:

• Abhishek Abhishek appeared in court on March 13, 2026.
• Daniel Notarianni is scheduled to appear in court on March 18, 2026.

Cases involving alleged serious border-related offences can have ripple effects across Ontario communities, from major urban centres to smaller municipalities. For context on broader regional crime patterns, residents can review local data such as the Ontario crime statistics and safety profile for Agency 1 or other nearby jurisdictions.

Section 3: CrimeCanada.ca Safety Perspective

From the perspective of CrimeCanada.ca, this alert underscores how vulnerabilities at ports of entry can directly affect community safety across Ontario. Large-scale importation of substances like opium, illicit cannabis products and contraband tobacco can fuel organized crime, contribute to addiction and overdose risks, and undermine legitimate businesses. When the allegations involve a trusted border official, it also highlights the importance of strong oversight and the role of internal reporting within agencies like CBSA.

Community members can support safer borders and neighbourhoods by reporting suspicious commercial vehicle activity near border crossings, warehouses or truck stops, especially if there are signs of tampering, unusual routing or frequent late-night loading and unloading. Anonymous tips to police or Crime Stoppers in any Ontario community, from Niagara-on-the-Lake to smaller municipalities such as Billings, Ontario, where crime statistics also reflect broader trafficking trends, can play a vital role in disrupting smuggling networks. Staying informed about cases like this one helps residents understand how cross-border crime can impact local safety and reinforces the shared responsibility of agencies and the public in protecting Canada’s borders.

Official Source & Community Safety

This safety alert is based on an official release from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). CrimeCanada.ca aggregates and analyzes this data to keep the ontario community informed, aware, and safe. We are an independent safety data aggregator and not the original creators of the underlying incident report.

Read the full official release here: RCMP Official Statement.