CBSA seizures of 37.5 kg of cocaine leads to four arrests

TORONTO, Aug. 22, 2014 /CNW/ - Members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Toronto Airport Detachment, have arrested four Greater Toronto Area (GTA) residents for illegally importing approximately 37.5 kilograms of cocaine.

The investigation commenced when Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers at the Toronto Pearson International Airport (TPIA), Commercial Operations District, intercepted a large quantity of cocaine concealed in three different shipments of machine parts, originating from Panama. CBSA officers contacted the RCMP Serious and Organized Crime Section about the shipment which led to a local investigation conducted by the RCMP, along with the CBSA, Toronto Police Service and Peel Regional Police in order to identify the individuals responsible for illegally importing the cocaine.

On August 7, 2014, RCMP investigators attended an apartment complex in the area of Burnhamthorpe Road West and Confederation Parkway in Mississauga and arrested one male and one female. On August 20, 2014, RCMP investigators, supported by the Peel Regional Police Tactical Unit, arrested an additional 2 male suspects in Mississauga and Milton.

The RCMP charged the following individuals with offences relating to this investigation:
Philmore JARVIS (47) of Mississauga, ON
Vernon BOUILLION (38) of Milton, ON
Michelle MARAJ (36) of Mississauga, ON
Wilson JARAMILLO (37) of Mississauga, ON

JARVIS, JARAMILLO and BOUILLION are currently in custody their next court appearance is on August 28, 2014. MARAJ was released on bail and her next court appearance is on September 12, 2014.

Charges

• Importing a controlled substance into Canada contrary to section 6(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA)
• Possession for the purpose of trafficking contrary to section 5(2) of the CDSA
• Conspiracy to commit an indictable offence contrary to section 465 (1)(c) of the Criminal Code

Quick Facts

• Over 11.2 million travellers were processed by the CBSA at the TPIA in 2013, making it Canada's busiest airport.
• In 2013, the CBSA in the Greater Toronto Area made 201 cocaine seizures totaling over 508 kg.
• If you have information about suspicious cross-border activity, please contact the CBSA Border Watch Toll-free Line at 1-888-502-9060.
• If you have information on suspicious or criminal activities please contact your local police, the Ontario RCMP at 1-800-387-0020 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).

Quote

"Cocaine is one of the illegal drugs most commonly imported into Canada by organized crime groups. This illegal drug trade brings violence and other associated crimes into our communities and neighborhoods. The RCMP and its partner agencies continue to work together to keep illegal drugs out of our country and our communities."

- Inspector Dean Dickson, Team Commander at the RCMP Toronto Airport Detachment for the GTA Serious & Organized Crime Section

"These cocaine seizures are yet another great example of CBSA's success in disrupting the narcotic smuggling trade, and is a credit to the many officers involved. I congratulate them as they continue to safeguard our ports of entry and keep dangerous drugs from reaching the streets of our communities. I also want thank the RCMP, Toronto Police Service and Peel Regional Police on the success of this investigation. This success is a credit to our great partnership."

- Norm Sheridan, CBSA A/Regional Director General, Greater Toronto Area Region

Associated Link 

• CBSA National Statistics 
• RCMP Newsroom (Ontario)

For photos related to this investigation, please visit the Ontario RCMP Newsroom and click on the associated news release. 

SOURCE: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

RCMP Media Relations,
"O" Division (Ontario)
Telephone: [phone]     

Website: RCMP in Ontario
Twitter: @RCMPONT
Facebook: RCMP.Ontario
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CBSA Media Relations,
Greater Toronto Area
Telephone: [phone]

Website: CBSA.GC.CA
Twitter: @CanBorder
Facebook: CanBorder
YouTube: CanBorder