Smuggling cocaine in fabricated breadfruits and opium in bags of pasta

 

CRIME COCAINE IN FAKE FRUITS

NO matter what ingenious method you may try to smuggle drugs into Canada, the Canada Border Services Agency says it will get you!

This week, the CBSA announced that it had seized about four kg of suspected cocaine in fabricated breadfruits at Toronto Pearson International Airport, and 2.43 kg of suspected opium in bags of pasta at Vancouver International Airport.

On April 13, CBSA officers working at Air Cargo inspected a shipment declared as fresh produce in 34 cardboard boxes and plastic bags. Officers noted inconsistencies in the X-ray of one of the bags and, upon further inspection, found two fabricated breadfruits made of plaster and painted lime green amidst numerous real breadfruit. Both of the fake breadfruit were found to contain suspected cocaine. The suspected cocaine was turned over to the RCMP.

“This seizure of suspected cocaine demonstrates that our officers will find any and all contraband, no matter what type of concealment method is used. CBSA officers are trained in advanced detection techniques, and their experience and expertise at our ports of entry ensures that Canada’s borders will not be used in the smuggling of illegal narcotics,” said Goran Vragovic, CBSA Regional Director General, Greater Toronto Area Region

CRIME CBSA OPIUM WITH PASTAAlso, CBSA officers of the Air Cargo Operations at Vancouver International Airport seized 2.43 kg of suspected opium.

On April 1, the officers examined a parcel arriving from Iran. According to the declaration form, the parcel contained candy. The X-ray images of the shipment presented some anomalies.  When officers opened the boxes, they found bags of pasta and detected an earthy odour.

Once the bags of pasta were unpacked, officers discovered a dark tar-like substance wrapped in cellophane concealed within the food products. Initial tests indicated the presence of suspected opium.  The narcotics were seized and transferred to the RCMP.

Richmond RCMP Airport Detachment assisted the CBSA to advance this investigation leading to the arrest of a Vancouver male in his 50s.