.Nova Scotia RCMP Federal Serious & Organized Crime Section, in partnership with Canada Border Services Agency, arrested two individuals for importing heroin into Halifax following an investigation that began in Montreal.
On June 21, 2017, officers with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) in Montreal intercepted a package containing what they believed to be heroin. The drugs were concealed within children’s back packs, lunch bags and spools of fabric. The package was destined for Halifax. CBSA notified the Nova Scotia RCMP Federal Serious & Organized Crime Section who began a comprehensive investigation.
On June 23, the package arrived at a Halifax address. Further intelligence indicated a second package was on its way. On June 26, the second package arrived. An estimated 6.5 kilograms of heroin was seized between the two packages.
On June 27, 2017, a female and a male picked up what was believed to be the two packages from the Halifax address and were arrested by the RCMP shortly after in a parking area nearby.
As part of the investigation, the packages were tested using ION scanners to detect any other drugs. Testing indicated the heroin or packaging may have come in contact with Carfentanil and Methylfentanyl as traces were detected. Officers took necessary precautions to secure the drugs before sending it to Health Canada for confirmation. Carfentanil and Methylfentanyl are opioids often used in other drugs to make them more potent and even the tiniest particles could be lethal.
Twenty-two-year-old Mithusha Poobalasingam of Toronto, ON was charged with the following:
· Possession for the purpose of trafficking (Heroin)
· Possession for the purpose of trafficking (Carfentani)
· Possession for the purpose of trafficking (Methylfentanyl)
· Importation of a controlled substance (Heroin)
· Importation of a controlled substance (Carfentanil)
· Importation of a controlled substance (Methylfentanyl)
· False representation of a Canadian aviation document
Thirty-seven year-old, Geevan Nagendran of Toronto, ON was charged with the following:
· Possession for the purpose of trafficking (Heroin)
· Possession for the purpose of trafficking (Carfentani)
· Possession for the purpose of trafficking (Methylfentanyl)
· Importation of a controlled substance (Heroin)
· Importation of a controlled substance (Carfentanil)
· Importation of a controlled substance (Methylfentanyl)
· False representation of a Canadian aviation document
“Knowing that these drugs may have come in contact with these toxic and lethal opioids is very concerning,” says Inspector Jason Popik, Nova Scotia RCMP Federal Serious and Organized Crime Section, “Thanks to the great work and collaboration with our law enforcement partners, these drugs will not reach our communities.”
RCMP from Quebec and Ontario, CBSA from Montreal and Halifax, York Regional Police and Halifax Regional Police provided assistance with this investigation.
“The interception of illegal drugs and the protection of Canadian citizens are priorities for the CBSA. I am very proud of the work of the Mirabel Border Services Officers who, through their vigilance and expertise, have intercepted these drugs.”
– Patrick Lefort, Regional Director General, CBSA, Quebec Region
Anyone with information regarding criminal activity is encouraged to contact their local police, the RCMP at 1-800-387-0020 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
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Source: Media Release