U.S. customs officials say they have arrested a Toronto truck driver for attempting to smuggle about 160 kilograms of marijuana into the United States.

In a news release, U.S. Customs and Border Protection said the driver was supposedly taking a load of fire-starter wood to Wooster, Mass. on Monday when he crossed the border at the Peace Bridge port of entry near Buffalo, N.Y.

"CBP Officers utilized the Vehicle and Cargo Inspection System (VACIS) to X-ray the truck and its contents after the primary officer became suspicious of Singh's demeanor.  The VACIS exam revealed an anomaly within the commodity," it said.

Customs officers then inspected further and found the bundles allegedly containing marijuana.

The agency said the VACIS provides an x-ray-like image of a fully-loaded truck in less than a minute.

Gurmit Singh, 40, of North York faces the following charges:

  • importation of controlled substances
  • conspiracy to import a controlled substance
  • possession of a controlled substance
  • smuggling goods

Singh is a citizen of India and a landed immigrant of Canada, according to the release.

He has been turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials pending arraignment, it said.