Pubdate: Sat, 04 Mar 2000
Source: Toronto Star (CN ON)
Copyright: 2000 The Toronto Star
Contact:  One Yonge St., Toronto ON, M5E 1E6
Fax: (416) 869-4322
Website: http://www.thestar.com/
Forum: http://www.thestar.com/editorial/disc_board/
Author: Bob Mitchell, Peel/Halton Bureau Chief

URINE TESTS AT AIRPORT NAB DRUG SMUGGLER

Seven travellers have been tested but only one has been caught by
urine testing of suspected drug smugglers at Pearson airport.

A 46-year-old man passed a kilogram of cocaine with an estimated
street value of $200,000. The cocaine was contained in condoms
swallowed before he boarded an Air Canada flight from Jamaica.

The urine tests can detect traces of drugs even if these narcotics are
swallowed in condoms because some of the drugs will leach into a
person's body.

Travellers suspected of trying to smuggle narcotics into Canada by
swallowing them can speed up their detention by taking the
non-mandatory urine test instead of being ordered to sit in one of two
toilets, called Super Loos.

If successful, the three-month testing pilot project, which began Feb.
16, could be used at all Canadian airports.

About 120 to 130 travellers are caught each year trying to smuggle
illegal narcotics into Canada by swallowing, said Canada Customs'
Duncan Smith, adding they're looking for smugglers, not users.
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