Public Safety Minister Toews commends CBSA on significant seizure of cocaine
at Pearson International Airport

Vigilant work of border services officers keeps drugs off our streets, out of our communities

MISSISSAUGA, ON, March 5 /CNW Telbec/ - Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers at Pearson International Airport seized approximately 150 kilos of cocaine, with an estimated street value of $19 million, in two separate and unrelated drug seizures last month.

"I commend the CBSA officers involved in this significant seizure of illicit drugs," said the Honourable Vic Toews, Minister of Public Safety. "The smuggling of drugs across our border fuels organized crime in Canada. We are committed to giving law enforcement the tools they need to make our communities safe. This serves as another example that our efforts are working."

On February 14, 2010, officers from the Passenger Operations Integrated Compliance Enforcement Team examined an unclaimed suitcase at Pearson International Airport. With the assistance of an x-ray machine CBSA officers uncovered 10 bricks of cocaine concealed in two separate adult backpacks within the suitcase.

During a routine inspection on February 21, 2010, CBSA officers from the Commercial Operations Airside Enforcement Team intercepted three suitcases on a flight from the Dominican Republic. Upon further examination, officers found each suitcase contained three small children's backpacks containing a total of 100 bricks of cocaine.

In both cases the drugs were turned over to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

Photos available upon request

For further information: For media information: Vanessa Barrasa, Communications Manager, Canada Border Services Agency, [phone]