Alleged cocaine smuggler had drug taped to his legs, border officials say

TORONTO – Canada Border Services Agency says an alleged cocaine smuggler tried to get the drug into the country taped to his legs.

Officials say border officers at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport referred a traveller for secondary examination.

During the course of the examination, the officers noticed the man was “inconsistent” and his belongings were swabbed, producing a positive result for suspected cocaine.

They say the traveller then became increasingly distressed when questioned about narcotics and admitted to having body packs of cocaine taped to his legs.

He was placed under arrest and a body search revealed two food-saver packages full of suspected cocaine taped to each leg.

Officials reported the June 1 incident on Tuesday and say nearly two kilograms of cocaine was seized, and the man and the evidence have been turned over to the RCMP.

“Our officers are experts at detecting anomalies in the verbal and non-verbal responses of travellers,” said Goran Vragovic, the CBSA’s Greater Toronto Area Regional Director General.

“Attempting to smuggle drugs is simply not worth it,” Vragovic added.