Prosecutions and Seizures

Greater Toronto Region

CBSA seizes suspected cocaine on traveller at the Toronto Pearson International Airport

Mississauga, Ontario, June 11, 2013 – The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) today announced the significant seizure of suspected cocaine at the Toronto Pearson International Airport (TPIA).

On June 1, 2013, border services officers working at Terminal 3 of the TPIA referred a traveller for secondary examination. During the course of the examination, the traveller was inconsistent; therefore his belongings were swabbed and resulted in a positive result for suspected cocaine. The traveller became increasingly distressed when questioned about narcotics and admitted to having body-packs of cocaine taped to his legs. He was placed under arrest and the subsequent body search revealed two food-saver packages full of suspected cocaine adhered to each leg.

Nearly 2 kg of suspected cocaine was seized. Both the traveller and the evidence were turned over to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police for further investigation.

"The message from the CBSA remains clear: our officers are committed to preventing the smuggling of deadly narcotics at the Toronto Pearson International Airport, no matter the concealment method," said Goran Vragovic, Greater Toronto Area Regional Director General. "Our officers are experts at detecting anomalies in the verbal and non-verbal responses of travellers. Attempting to smuggle drugs is simply not worth it."

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.

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For media information

GTA Media Relations
Canada Border Services Agency
905-803-2800

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