The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) seized 32 kg of cannabis leaving Canada from Toronto Pearson International Airport in two separate seizures in the last week of July.
The CBSA seized the cannabis, and RCMP Federal Policing Central Region arrested and charged Kery Maddison, 36, and Stanford Wint, 53, with Possession for the Purpose of Export contrary to section 11(2) of the federal Cannabis Act.
On July 25, 2024, CBSA stopped Maddison, a Canadian citizen, after she was found with approximately 23.25 kgs of cannabis concealed inside her luggage. Then, just three days later, on July 28, 2024, CBSA stopped Wint, a Canadian permanent resident, after 8.8 kgs of cannabis was found concealed inside his luggage.
Both are scheduled to appear in court on September 5, 2024.
“The RCMP Border Integrity Program is committed to preventing and disrupting cross-border criminal activity,” said Insp. John McMath, OIC Toronto Airport Detachment Border Integrity. “These seizures highlight the great work and collaboration between RCMP and CBSA officers to intercept shipments of cannabis and other illegal substances at Canada’s busiest airport.”
Seizures of cannabis leaving Canada are not uncommon. The CBSA recently seized more than 200 kilograms of cannabis in a targeted investigation in an Ontario border town and 140 pounds of cannabis at the Halifax Stanfield International Airport destined for the UK.
The CBSA has seized 5,656,165 grams of cannabis so far in 2024, along with 304,785 grams of hash. From 2023-2024, the agency reports seizing more than 23,553,038 grams of cannabis products and 126,210 grams of hash.
