VANCOUVER, Nov. 10, 2012 /CNW/ - On November 6, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) Airside and Special Enforcement Operations (ASEO) intercepted a traveller at Vancouver International Airport (VIA) carrying 51 pellets of suspected heroin internally.
The female traveller was questioned by CBSA officers upon her return to Canada. During examination, the officers determined that the traveller may have ingested narcotics as a means to smuggle them into the country. She was immediately arrested and escorted to the hospital, where it was discovered that she had both ingested and inserted pellets. Subsequent X-rays taken at the hospital revealed a blockage, and the traveller had to undergo emergency surgery. A total of 51 pellets - condoms containing suspected heroin - were expelled or recovered. Physicians said that without medical attention the traveller would have died.
This is the third internal drug carrier intercepted at VIA in three days. On November 4, two travellers were taken to hospital and had to undergo emergency surgery because pellets containing suspected methamphetamine had been poorly packaged and were leaking inside their bodies.
"Ingesting narcotics to evade detection is a practice that is extremely dangerous for the courier, regardless of how well the pellets are wrapped - it is a life threatening situation that requires immediate medical intervention," said Nicole Goodman, Chief of Operations for the Airside & Special Enforcement Operations, Vancouver International Airport District. "As a result of this week's interceptions, CBSA officers have not only delivered on our mandate, they also helped to save the lives of three individuals who put their lives at risk for the smuggling of illicit substances".
Image with caption: "CBSA intercepted a traveller at Vancouver International Airport carrying 51 pellets of 'suspected heroin' internally. (CNW Group/Canada Border Services Agency (BC))". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20121110_C6909_PHOTO_EN_20478.jpg
Image with caption: "This is one of the 51 pellets recovered at the hospital. (CNW Group/Canada Border Services Agency (BC))". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20121110_C6909_PHOTO_EN_20480.jpg
SOURCE: Canada Border Services Agency (BC)
For media information
Jennifer Bourque
CBSA Communications - Pacific Region
604-666-8876
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