By Jasminee Sahoye

A haul of cocaine from three Caribbean destinations over the period of four days by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is being described as a significant, as they have a combined street value of more than $6 million.

The narcotics were all discovered at Pearson International Airport in Toronto.

According to the CBSA, on November 9, 2012, border services officers identified a suspicious suitcase while monitoring a baggage offload from a flight returning from the Dominican Republic. The suitcase was excessively heavy and when opened was found to contain 15 bricks of cocaine. The total approximate weight exceeded 21 kilograms, with an estimated value of over $2.6 million.

“On November 11, officers working at Air Cargo discovered 15.2 kilograms of suspected cocaine while conducting a search on a flight originating from Jamaica. The 15 bricks of suspected narcotics were found concealed in the aircraft. The estimated value of the seizure is $1.9 million.”

The CBSA also said that on November 12, “a female traveller arriving from Trinidad was referred for a customs secondary examination. Border services officers interviewed the woman and inspected her baggage. Officers noted that her bag had an unusual bulge underneath the interior lining. The bottom of the suitcase was probed and a white powdery substance was discovered. Subsequent examination of the traveller’s second bag also revealed suspected cocaine in a false bottom. An approximate total of 18 kilograms of suspected cocaine was seized with an estimated value exceeding $2.2 million.”
The seized substances were turned over to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police for further investigation, according to the CBSA.

“We are continually seeing new and innovative ways of smuggling drugs into our country,” stated Inspector Dean Dickson, Officer in Charge of the RCMP Toronto Airport Detachment. “However with our partnership and information sharing with CBSA, we can attack these methods head on and ensure public safety.”

So far for 2012, CBSA officers in the GTA Region’s airports, postal and cargo processing facilities have seized over 616 kilograms of cocaine with an estimated value of over $77 million.

“Border services officers are vigilant and trained to interdict illegal drugs and other prohibited goods at our borders,” said Goran Vragovic, CBSA Regional Director General of the GTA Region. “I am proud of our officers for their role in preventing the smuggling of cocaine and stopping the flow of drugs from making it to our streets.”

“We are continually seeing new and innovative ways of smuggling drugs into our country,” stated Inspector Dean Dickson, Officer in Charge of the RCMP Toronto Airport Detachment. “However with our partnership and information sharing with CBSA, we can attack these methods head on and ensure public safety.”

The CBSA wants to hear from you if you have witnessed or are aware of an incident involving suspicious cross-border activity. Please contact the CBSA Border Watch Toll-free Line at 1-888-502-9060.