The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and the RCMP have made two significant seizures of suspected controlled substances from individuals returning to Canada on commercial airline flights at the Toronto Pearson International Airport (TPIA).
In total, authorities seized $1.27 million worth of suspected cocaine from two travellers.
According to officials, on June 18, 2020, a female traveller arriving on a flight from Jamaica at TPIA was referred for a secondary exam by CBSA Passenger Operations District Border Services Officers (BSOs).
The officers examined six food packages, which had 6.6 kilograms of suspected cocaine hidden inside. The CBSA estimates the value for the seizure is $825,000.
On June 23, another female traveller arriving on a flight from Jamaica at TPIA was also referred for a secondary exam by CBSA officers.
The passenger’s belongings were inspected and BSOs discovered 3.85 kilograms of suspected cocaine secreted in eight food packages. The CBSA estimates the value for that seizure was $447,500.
“The primary objective of transnational organized crime groups is to exploit opportunities to increase their influence, networks and profit,” said Inspector Barry Dolan, Officer in charge of Toronto Airport Detachment.
“The illegal importation of dangerous narcotics such as cocaine is a primary revenue tool of these groups. These seizures are the direct result of close collaboration and work by the RCMP along with the CBSA and our other law enforcement agencies and community partners while demonstrating our commitment to border integrity and public safety."
Both individuals were arrested and were turned over to the RCMP.
Mavis Coreta Segree, 76-years-old of Etobicoke, Ontario and Amran Jama, 31-years-old of Hamilton, Ontario were each charged with importing a substance included in Schedule I contrary to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA)
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Segree and Jama were released on bail with conditions. Both will be appearing next respectively on August 26th, 2020 and September 2nd, 2020 at the Brampton (A. Grenville & William Davis) Courthouse.
