RCMP officers at Toronto Pearson Airport have charged three people after intercepting a shipment of 5.59 kilograms of ketamine smuggled from Belgium into Canada — a seizure worth an estimated $225,000.
The illegal shipment arrived in Montreal on August 28 and was intercepted by Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers before reaching its intended destination in Scarborough. The drugs were handed over to the RCMP, whose Pearson Airport detachment launched a targeted investigation into the shipment and its suspected importers.
Three Toronto residents now face multiple charges, including possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking and weapons offences. One suspect remains in custody and faces an additional charge of importing a controlled substance, with a court appearance scheduled for Monday. The other two have been released on bail with strict conditions.
A follow-up search warrant at a Toronto residence uncovered more illicit substances in powder and pill form, drug paraphernalia, a handgun, stun batons, electronic devices, and a Lexus SUV.
Inspector John McMath, officer in charge of the RCMP’s Toronto airport detachment, said the case is a stark example of how smugglers exploit courier and postal systems to bring drugs into Canada. “This seizure prevented a large amount of dangerous drugs from reaching our communities,” McMath said.
He noted that ketamine, a powerful anesthetic, has been linked to numerous deaths in Canada. Its illicit form is typically odorless and colourless, making it difficult to detect. Authorities warn that it can distort perception and is sometimes used to facilitate sexual assaults.
“This is a serious offence, and a conviction may result in a lengthy prison sentence,” McMath added.
The bust comes amid several ketamine seizures at Pearson earlier this year, underscoring the airport’s role as a key entry point in the international drug trade and the ongoing efforts by CBSA and RCMP to disrupt smuggling networks.