SYDNEY, Nova Scotia, July 1 (UPI) -- Canadian authorities in Nova Scotia say organized criminals tried to smuggle a big cocaine shipment on a cargo ship named after the prime minister's wife.
Officials at the Port of Sydney found more than 170 pounds of the drug during a routine examination of the vessel Sheila Ann Wednesday, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. reported.
The cocaine was in two duffle bags bolted to the outside of the Canada Steamship Lines vessel, close to the rudder, authorities said.
Prime Minister Paul Martin owned the company but transferred control to his three sons last year.
The ship had sailed to Sydney from Venezuela. A border security official said it's not uncommon for legitimate companies to be unknowingly exploited by organized crime to move contraband.
The ship, carrying coal, was scheduled to sail to Halifax and then to Florida.
