Pubdate: Mon, 30 Aug 2004
Source: Toronto Sun (CN ON)
Copyright: 2004, Canoe Limited Partnership.
Contact:  http://www.canoe.com/NewsStand/TorontoSun/home.html
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/457
Author: Tom Godfrey

NEW HIV RISK FOR DRUG USERS

TORONTO-AREA drug users face contracting deadly diseases from an increasing 
amount of dope that's being smuggled into Canada by infected street 
prostitutes, the Mounties say. "We are very concerned," said RCMP Insp. Sam 
Landry, head of the force's airport detachment. "The diseases can get into 
the drugs (and) we are concerned the drug can infect others when it hits 
the streets."

Landry said his officers have intercepted about six drug swallowers this 
year who were suffering from Hepatitis C or had the HIV virus.

The Mounties said body fluids containing the diseases can leach into rubber 
condoms containing the ingested dope.

Police estimate about 10 drug smugglers slip into the country for every one 
arrested.

Landry said Toronto prostitutes are being recruited by organized crime 
figures who give them spending money and trips to the Caribbean in 
all-inclusive hotels. Once there, they are instructed on how to ingest and 
smuggle dope back to Canada.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart