The promise of quick and substantial money continues to make unemployed individuals, particularly women, vulnerable to exploitation by organized crime, as highlighted by a recent investigation into a transnational drug smuggling network.

Despite repeated warnings from security and law enforcement agencies about deceptive online advertisements offering large payouts and all-expenses-paid international travel to transport pre-packaged consignments, many individuals fail to recognize the risks and become ensnared in these schemes.

A joint investigation by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) in Ontario has led to the arrest of two men accused of operating a criminal enterprise that recruited women through online classified advertisements to smuggle illegal drugs out of Canada via Toronto Pearson International Airport.

Authorities note that although public advisories continue to caution against job offers that promise unusually high compensation with little detail and require international travel, such offers remain difficult for some to ignore.

The investigation was launched after two Canadian women were arrested in Nigeria while attempting to transport cannabis into the country. Investigators determined that the women had been recruited through advertisements posted on the classified website Leo List, targeting women between the ages of 20 and 65.

According to law enforcement officials, the ads promised payments of up to $20,000 in exchange for travelling in and out of Canada while carrying illicit drugs. Following a nine-month investigation, RCMP and CBSA officers were able to intercept and disrupt the operation before an additional shipment of 29 kilograms of cannabis could be smuggled out of the country.

As a result, RCMP Federal Policing – Central Region, Toronto Airport Detachment, has charged Charles Adewoye, 48, of Toronto, and Shamaarke Jafar Ismail, 25, of the United Kingdom, with possessing and illicitly moving cannabis.

“This investigation demonstrates the importance of proactive policing in detecting and dismantling criminal operations that exploit vulnerable individuals. The recruitment of unsuspecting community members for high-risk criminal activity is deeply concerning, and we are committed to pursuing anyone who engages in this behavior,” says Superintendent Dale Foote, Officer in Charge, Federal Policing – Central Region Border Integrity.

Lisa Janes, Regional Director General of the Canada Border Services Agency’s Greater Toronto Area Region, says that “Organized crime preys on the vulnerable. This case demonstrates the real cost of engaging in criminal activity. The CBSA works in close collaboration with local and international law enforcement agencies to disrupt crime, keep Canada’s border strong, and stop those who try to endanger our communities. Information sharing with our partners is vital to border security and contributes to tackling head-on the international organized crime problem of networks operating across many countries.”

Amid growing criticism of the expanding transnational drug trade, Canada is investing $1.3 billion to strengthen border security and reinforce the immigration system, while prioritizing public safety.

The CBSA and RCMP are mandated to intercept and investigate smuggling attempts at Canada’s borders and to disrupt organized crime networks. The RCMP supports the CBSA’s work at ports of entry by addressing inbound and outbound criminal threats through investigations and prosecutions related to narcotics smuggling.

The agencies work closely with domestic and international law enforcement partners to counter the impact of cross-border criminal activity on communities.

Officials caution that smuggling narcotics and violating the Customs Act can lead to prosecution. For foreign nationals, such offences may also result in removal from Canada and a ban on returning, according to an official statement.

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