Features

Busted! Suitcases full of pot not a good idea

Published on December 6, 2024 by Pat Bulmer

Photo: Contributed/RCMP

If you’re tempted to smuggle a large amount of cannabis in or out of the country by hiding it in your suitcase—forget it.

Border agents and police know what you’re up to.

A number of people have been arrested in recent weeks at airports in Halifax and Toronto for trying to do just that.

On Nov. 13, Canada Border Services Agency officers at Halifax Stanfield International Airport intercepted two large suitcases containing approximately 49 kilograms of suspected cannabis destined for London, England. One man was arrested and charged under the Cannabis Act for exporting, possession for the purpose of selling, and possession for the purpose of distributing. He will appear in court on Jan. 22.

On Nov. 14, CBSA officers at the Halifax airport intercepted two suitcases containing approximately 30 kilograms of cannabis, also destined for London. A man was charged for exporting, possession for the purpose of selling, and possession for the purpose of distributing. He will appear in court on Jan. 28.

In the latest incidents at Toronto’s Pearson Airport, a London, England-bound man was found to have 62 kg of cannabis in his luggage. He was charged with exporting, possession for the purpose of selling, and possession for the purpose of distributing.

And a Germany-bound passenger was arrested after 45 kilograms of cannabis was found in her luggage. A 21-year-old woman has been charged.

“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,” said Insp. John McMath officer in charge of the RCMP Toronto Airport detachment.

Meanwhile, 425 kilograms of suspected cannabis, destined for the U.K. and Caribbean, was seized at the Port of Halifax. On Oct. 22, CBSA officers with assistance from intelligence officers, examined a marine container destined for the Caribbean. They found 574 packages of suspected cannabis totalling 347 kilograms, and one package of hashish weighing approximately one kilogram, concealed throughout the container. The evidence was turned over to the Nova Scotia RCMP Federal Serious and Organized Crime unit.

In Surrey. B.C., RCMP announced they dismantled a large illicit cannabis distribution operation.

In early September, officers seized four large boxes of cannabis from a shipping business. Later in the month, officers intercepted a second shipment at the same location, containing 170 pounds of vacuum-sealed cannabis.

Then on Oct. 10, police executed a search warrant at a residence in West Vancouver. A 29-year-old man was arrested. Drugs, including 700 pounds of dried cannabis in various stages of packaging, and weapons were seized.

“Illegal cannabis is not tested or quality controlled and may contain harmful levels of contaminants,” said RCMP Cpl. Sarbjit K. Sangha.

“Cannabis concentrate” was among the contraband items seized Nov. 11-15 from the Grande Cache medium-security institution in Alberta, the Correctional Services of Canada announced. The $128,000 worth of items seized also included methamphetamine, tobacco, cellphones and cellphone chargers.

“Cannabis concentrates contain high THC levels that range from 40% to over 90%,” Wikipedia explains.