Prosecutions and Seizures

Greater Toronto Region

CBSA seizes suspected cocaine and suspected marijuana hidden in food containers at the Toronto Pearson International Airport

Mississauga, Ontario, July 2, 2013 – The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) announced today the seizure of suspected cocaine and suspected marijuana at the Toronto Pearson International Airport (TPIA).

On June 8, 2013, border services officers working at Terminal 3 of the TPIA referred a traveller for secondary examination. Among the traveller's belongings were two plastic containers — an insulated mug filled with coffee beans and an insulated vacuum flask filled with chocolate balls — packed within a plastic bag of mangoes. Both containers were X-rayed and revealed anomalies in their structure. Suspected cocaine and suspected marijuana were extracted. The narcotics were wrapped in foil and glued within the walls of the containers.

On June 9, 2013, a traveller, returning to Canada after having been denied entry to Barbados, was referred for secondary examination at Terminal 1 of the TPIA. The traveller's baggage included several boxed packages labeled as a variety of cookies, granola bars and snacks. These packages contained bricks made of a green leafy substance suspected to be marijuana.

"Our officers at the Toronto Pearson International Airport remain vigilant in preventing illegal drugs from reaching our streets, no matter the degree of creativity used by those intent on transporting drugs across our borders," said Goran Vragovic, Regional Director General of the Greater Toronto Area Region. "Smugglers should think twice before deciding to come up against the CBSA's trained experts in detection."

Border services officers seized a total of 227 grams of suspected cocaine and more than 5.5 kg of suspected marijuana in the two incidents. The travellers and evidence were turned over to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police for further investigation.

"We continue to see new and innovative means of smuggling narcotics into Toronto," stated Inspector Dean Dickson, Officer in Charge of the RCMP Toronto Airport Detachment. "However, our officers are just as creative in locating these narcotics and charging those responsible."

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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