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Two Canadians Arrested at Lynden Border Crossing

Release Date
Tue, 11/25/2014

Suspected Meth-making Materials Located in Vehicle

BLAINE, Wash. – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Office of Field Operations (OFO), at the Lynden, WA, port of entry arrested two Canadian citizens from Chilliwack, British Columbia, Sunday for what appeared to be chemicals and equipment used to manufacture methamphetamine.

Calum James Buchanan (41) and Lola Crystal McKay (24), arrived at the Kenneth G. Ward port of entry in Lynden shortly after 7 p.m. driving a 1994 Pontiac Grand Am.  CBP officers referred Buchanan and McKay for a secondary examination where they discovered a plastic tote tub sealed with plastic wrap containing an unknown liquid and other suspicious materials in the rear seat area of the vehicle.

A CBP officer performing the secondary inspection of the vehicle and contents became ill after breathing the fumes from the materials and was transported and successfully treated at Saint Joseph Medical Center, Bellingham.  Out of an abundance of caution for public safety, northbound and southbound traffic was diverted away from the Lynden port of entry.

Due to the unknown nature of the materials, CBP requested and received assistance from U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), City of Lynden Fire and Police departments, Bellingham Police Departments Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) unit and the Washington State Patrol (WSP).

Buchanan and McKay were taken into custody and turned over to HSI special agents for further investigation. Monday afternoon they made their first appearance before a Whatcom County judge for possession with intent to manufacture.

“The interdiction of these hazardous chemicals prevents a considerable amount of methamphetamine from reaching the streets of our Nation,” said acting Blaine Area Port Director Kenneth Williams.  “This seizure demonstrates the vigilance of our frontline officers in securing our borders, keeping our communities safe and in protecting our way of life.” 

The case is being investigated by HSI’s Border Enforcement Security Task Force and is being prosecuted by the Whatcom County Prosecutor’s Office.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021