TORONTO — Several arrests at Pearson Airport over the past six months have prompted the RCMP and Canada Border Services Agency to remind travellers that it is illegal to bring any amount of cannabis on an international flight.
In the case of travellers being busted at Pearson, the amounts of marijuana people are attempting to smuggle are worth tens of thousands of dollars — and the penalties are serious, police say.
"Although cannabis is decriminalized in Canada, it is still illegal to carry any amount of cannabis on international flights and amounts exceeding personal use, on domestic flights," Insp. John McMath, officer in charge with RCMP Toronto Airport detachment, said in a news release.
"If a passenger chooses to smuggle cannabis, they will be arrested and charged with serious criminal drug smuggling charges," McMath said.
The RCMP say on Nov. 14, two separate travellers arrived at Pearson with a scheduled departure flight to London.
Outbound baggage examinations uncovered cases of cannabis concealed inside their luggage totalling about 45 kilograms with an estimated street value of $175,000, the RCMP allege.
Officials seized the cannabis and arrested the travellers.
A 40-year-old woman has been charged with being in possession of 21.95 kilograms of cannabis.
A 32-year-old woman has also been charged with transporting 22.5 kilograms, according to an RCMP news release.
They each face charges of export contrary to the Cannabis Act.
Both accused were released and were expected to appear at the A. Grenville and William Davis Courthouse in Brampton in February.
Baggage examination
On Oct. 26, a Canadian destined for the Netherlands was found to have 45 kilograms of cannabis in their bag, valued at $180,000, according to an RCMP news release.
A 20-year-old was charged under the Cannabis Act with possession for the purpose of export. The accused was released with a scheduled court date.
On Oct. 25, a Canadian passenger bound for Germany who underwent a baggage examination was found to have 45 kilograms of cannabis concealed inside her luggage valued at $180,000, the RCMP say.
A 21-year-old woman was charged with possession for the purpose of export under the Cannabis Act. She was released on an undertaking with a scheduled court appearance.
On Oct. 23, an outbound baggage examination found 62 kilograms of concealed cannabis valued at $248,000 for a traveller headed to London.
A 26-year-old woman was charged with export contrary to the Cannabis Act. She was scheduled for a court appearance last month.
The estimated value of the drugs was approximately $248,000 and the penalties for cannabis importation in the UK are up to 14 years in prison, the RCMP noted.
On July 25, CBSA stopped a 36-year-old Canadian woman after she was found with 23.25 kilograms of cannabis concealed inside her luggage.
Three days later, CBSA stopped 53-year-old Canadian man after 8.8 kilograms of cannabis was found concealed inside his luggage.
Both were charged with possession for the purpose of export contrary to the Cannabis Act, according to an RCMP news release, and were scheduled to appear in court.
All of the accused are considered innocent until proven guilty.
'Lifelong consequences'
"The discovery of travellers arriving at Canadian international airports attempting to hide cannabis continues to be an issue with serious, and possibly lifelong consequences for these travellers," the RCMP's McMath said.
McMath also had a message for people who believe they have been targeted by a criminal organization to transport cannabis.
"Report the incident to your local police," he said. "Don't carry luggage for others; awareness is your best defence. Be suspicious of any offer that sounds too good to be true, as you will be held responsible and that dream vacation could end up turning into a trip to prison."
If you have any information related to smuggling, drug importation, trafficking, or possession, you can contact the Ontario RCMP at 1-800-387-0020, the confidential CBSA Border Watch toll-free line at 1-888-502-9060 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
