Pubdate: Fri, 28 Nov 2003
Source: Toronto Sun (CN ON)
Copyright: 2003, Canoe Limited Partnership.
Contact:  http://www.canoe.com/NewsStand/TorontoSun/home.html
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/457
Author: Tom Godfrey

DOPE RING HERE?

RCMP Watch As U.S. Nabs Airport Workers

The RCMP is monitoring a U.S. crackdown on a global ring of airport
workers allegedly smuggling tonnes of dope into North America on
commercial aircraft. Some 25 baggage handlers were arrested for drug
smuggling on Tuesday at New York's John F. Kennedy airport, according
to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The Mounties suspect the same smuggling operation is hiding drugs on
Toronto-bound flights. The dope is reportedly removed by airport
workers at Pearson airport.

ICE agents seized 300 kilos of cocaine and hundreds more of pot on
flights arriving from Jamaica and Guyana during a 14-month probe.

"This has been an ongoing concern for us at Pearson airport," Staff
Sgt. Bill Matheson said. "We suspect the same group of people abroad
is behind this smuggling."

The Mounties and Canada Customs have arrested about a dozen airport
workers for drug smuggling in the last two years. One cargo handler
was arrested last week.

"We will be in touch with U.S. authorities," Matheson said.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin