Faron Blanchard, is charged with importing and possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.

Faron Blanchard, 41, is charged with importing and possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking. He next returns to court June 3. Blanchard was arrested Feb. 27 after officers from the Canada Border Service Agency discovered 230 kilograms of cocaine in the cab of a transport truck entering Canada. It was the largest seizure of cocaine at a land border crossing in Canadian history. A court order preventing publication of evidence presented at Friday's day-long hearing was necessary to ensure a fair trial, Justice of the Peace Stewart Taylor said. Outside the courtroom, federal prosecutor Michael Robb said cocaine seizures are on the rise. Three significant seizures have been made at the bridge so far this year, and nine in the previous two years. Many involved commercial truckers carrying perishable produce from California. About 3,700 trucks cross the bridge daily and border officers can only conduct secondary inspections on about 35 of them. Because cross-border trade is the nation's economic lifeblood, officers are under pressure to prevent delays, Robb said. Secondary inspection techniques now include X-ray-like scans that can reveal hidden cargo, a technology that assisted in the Feb. 27 bust.

Faron Blanchard, is charged with importing and possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.

Faron Blanchard, 41, is charged with importing and possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking. He next returns to court June 3. Bl...

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