Pubdate: Wed, 21 Oct 1998
Source: Toronto Star (Canada)
Page: B5
Copyright: 1998, The Toronto Star
Contact:  http://www.thestar.com/
Author: Bob Mitchell, Toronto Star Peel/Halton Bureau Chief

DRUG AGENTS FIND HASH, IMPOUND CAKE

Seven people face charges after Canada Customs seized an estimated
$1.7 million worth of cocaine, hashish, marijuana and crack cocaine
over the weekend at Pearson airport.

In one case the drugs had been hidden inside a home-baked
cake.

Drugs were also found hidden in body orifices and in hollowed-out
books, officials said.

``They tried a number of things, but the cake one was different,''
said Duncan Smith, spokesperson for Revenue Canada's drug squad.

``I'm sure the cake method has been tried before but it's the first
time I've encountered it in my 35 years with the department.''

Smith said 811 grams of hashish, with an estimated street value of
around $16,000, were found in packets inside the cake.

The drug seizures included:

* one kilogram of cocaine, found diluted in two bottles of
wine.

* 10 kilograms of marijuana hidden in a shipment of hollowed-out
books.

* 6.5 kilograms of cocaine concealed in body packs worn by two
passengers.

* one kilogram of hashish seized from a traveller who tried to hide
the drugs by swallowing them and hiding them in a body orifice.

* 347 grams of crack cocaine concealed in clothing worn by a traveller
from Jamaica.

Those charged with drug offences were Alafia Medina Rodway, 23, of
Oshawa; Anastasia Ferrier, 23, Camille Melissa Robinson, 22, Karen
Campbell, 27, Shina Julien, 23, Pauline Balgobin, 29, and Rajeshware
Benimadhu, 27, all of Toronto.
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Checked-by: Patrick Henry