$750G in coke found in senior's suitcase

CANOE.ca / CNews ^ | 6.24.03

[mhking]

TORONTO -- A 72-year-old U.S. pensioner has been charged for allegedly trying to smuggle five kilograms of cocaine into the country.

Police believe the Edmonton-born man is one of the oldest charged at Toronto's Pearson international airport for alleged drug smuggling.

RCMP Sgt. Gary Harvey said the arrest occurred last Friday after a suspect arrived at Terminal 2 on a flight from Venezuela and Mexico City.

"This is a rarity," Harvey said. "This is one of the older persons we have charged for this crime."

Harvey said the suspect, who is a U.S. citizen residing in Venezuela, was referred for a secondary check because he was acting suspiciously.

"The accused is in the minority," Harvey said. "We don't see a lot of older people involved in this behaviour."

Officers found $750,000 worth of coke in the bottom of the suitcase after it was X-rayed.

Airport police also charged a Spanish woman after four kilograms of coke, worth $600,000, was found in four oil filters in her luggage.

Police said the woman was nabbed last weekend after arriving from Trinidad and Tobago.

"This is an unusual commodity to be bringing into the country," Butler said. "Oil filters from the Caribbean may have been an indicator."

John Bastian Volk, and Ana Theresa Perez Airstu, 28, have been charged with importing a controlled substance. They were detained on immigration holds in Brampton, Ont., court yesterday. Police said they'll likely be deported if convicted.

[mhking]

"Hold muh beer 'n watch this!" PING....

If you want on or off this list, please let me know!

[microgood]

"Oil filters from the Caribbean may have been an indicator."

I've heard you can get them real cheap down there. LOL.

[Prodigal Son]

I see a Social Security political angle in this for the dems- lol.

[gcruse]

Old guy brings drugs into Canada. Ashcroft should be pleased.

[A CA Guy]

Idiots and criminals come in all ages.

[hdrider]

There goes supplemental Social Security. Trying to make ends meet just gets MORE difficult.

[cherry]

well, at least this guy (hopefully) won't have to wait for his "free" prescriptions....he can start getting them right away.....

[ContentiousObjector]

wasn't there a scam back in the 80's where cruise workers were smuggling cocaine into Flordia in wooden fish given to old or naive tourists in the Caribbean then breaking into their home after the trip to retreive the cocaine filled fish?

[The Red Zone]

Airport police also charged a Spanish woman after four kilograms of coke, worth $600,000, was found in four oil filters in her luggage.

Oil filters, which are mostly hollow, aren't normally anywhere near that heavy. The amount alleged to be smuggled would amount to 1 kilogram or 2.2 pounds each.

[MrLeRoy]

$750,000 worth of coke

What's that, three minutes worth of the nation's coke consumption? Yep, we'll be winning that War On Some Drugs any day now.

[showme_the_Glory]

Dude, I thought that all drugs were legal in Canada. Oh well, they soon will be.

[Wolfie]

Its nice to see at least one senior taking responsibility for paying for his own drugs.

[jmc813]

WOD Ping