Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) says it has seized about $1.25 million worth of methamphetamines at Vancouver International Airport.
The first suitcase was discovered on July 27. CBSA officers and a detector dog found 10 kilograms of methamphetamine hidden in false-sided compartments of two suitcases, the release said. CBSA said a Canadian citizen was involved in the incident.
Two days later, 14.84 kilograms of the drug was found in the suitcase of another Canadian citizen. CBSA officers discovered it while examining the traveller’s suitcase. It was located in four vacuum-sealed packages, which were wrapped in clothing, according to the release.
“Our agency is combatting the smuggling of illegal drugs at our border and disrupting crime networks,” said Nina Patel, regional director general for CBSA’s Pacific region.
“These seizures demonstrate the diligence and detection capabilities of our border services officers and the important role of our intelligence operations in intercepting illegal and harmful substances.”
The RCMP said the seizures demonstrate the coordination between the CBSA and RCMP.
Both travellers were arrested and taken into custody by the RCMP, the release said.
The investigations are ongoing. The RCMP is expected to announce numerous criminal charges under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, according to the CBSA.
The arrests come about two months after a B.C. man was caught with 2.96 kilograms of methamphetamine at the Vancouver International Airport.
The man said he had been “wilfully blind” to the drugs that were inside of a suitcase he was carrying.
After pleading guilty, the court noted that he appeared remorseful for the crime.
“Unfortunately [he] had to spend four months at Surrey Pretrial before his judicial interim release could be sorted out. Mr. Horvath has, through his counsel, expressed remorse for his actions,” the court documents said.
