The Integrated Border Enforcement Team (IBET), a joint force operation between the RCMP, Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and Calgary Police Service (CPS), has charged two Calgary men for drug exportation and trafficking.
In May 2022, IBET was notified via CBSA that a package containing 1.5 kg of methamphetamine was seized by Australian Border Force officials in Australia. The drugs, which were concealed within a shop vacuum, originated from Calgary.
Following a comprehensive investigation, two search warrants were executed in the Calgary region after one of the accused attempted to ship packages to the United Kingdom and Greenland. Investigators seized an additional 1.08 kg of hashish and 1.1 kg of cannabis.
A 39-year-old individual, a resident of Calgary, was arrested and charged with:
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Possession for the Purpose of Exporting contrary to section 6(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act;
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Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking contrary to section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act; and,
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Smuggling Out of Canada contrary to section 159(2) of the Customs Act.
A 34-year-old individual, a resident of Calgary, was arrested and charged with:
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Possession for the Purpose of Exporting contrary to section 6(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act;
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Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking contrary to section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act;
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Smuggling Out of Canada contrary to section 159(2) of the Customs Act (x4);
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Unlawfully Exporting contrary to section 11(1) of the Cannabis Act (x3); and,
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Possession for the Purpose of Unlawfully Exporting contrary to section 11(2) of the Cannabis Act (x3).
Both individuals are scheduled to appear in Calgary Provincial Court on Jan. 24, 2023.
"With the support of various law enforcement agencies, we disrupted an international drug smuggling operation that would have caused significant harm to our communities and those abroad."
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Insp. Germain Leger, Alberta RCMP Integrated Border Enforcement Team
"CBSA officers are committed to detecting and intercepting illegal narcotics and other dangerous goods from leaving and entering Canada. This seizure is a great example of how our officers are able to work closely with both local and international law enforcement partners to keep illegal drugs out of our communities."
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Brad Wozny, Regional Director General, Prairie Region, Canada Border Services Agency
"Partnerships with law enforcement agencies around the world are critical. We know that criminals and criminal organizations don't have provincial or national boundaries, so we have to work together to ensure our global community is protected."
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Insp. Jeremy Wittman, CPS Criminal Networks Section
IBET would like to thank the Waterloo Regional Police Service, the Australian Border Force, the RCMP International Liaison Officer for Australia, and the Ontario RCMP for their support throughout this investigation.
IBET's mandate is to enhance border integrity and security along the shared border, between designated ports of entry, by identifying, investigating and interdicting persons, organizations and goods that are involved in criminal activities.