Opium Importation Investigation leads to GTA arrest

TORONTO, Dec. 17, 2014 /CNW/ - A cross border investigation, involving the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), has resulted in one Greater Toronto Area (GTA) man being arrested for illegally importing approximately 15 kilograms of opium.

This investigation commenced, when U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in Cincinnati, Ohio inspected a Toronto-bound package which concealed approximately 15 kg of Opium within three large metal steel gears.  The package originated from Erbil, Iraq and was destined to a business in Toronto.  U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) contacted the RCMP's Greater Toronto Area (GTA) Serious and Organized Crime unit at the Toronto Airport Detachment about the drug shipment.  The RCMP, with the assistance of Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers, had the steel gears shipped to Toronto.

On December 9, 2014, subsequent to an RCMP investigation, a male subject was arrested in the area of Lawrence Avenue East and Victoria Park Avenue in Toronto. 

"The sharing of information is a necessity to tackle transnational crime", said Inspector Dean DICKSON, Team Commander at the RCMP Toronto Airport Detachment. "The success of this investigation is a result of our ability and capacity to work effectively with our local and international partners."

"Transnational criminal organizations know no boundaries or borders," said HSI Assistant Attaché Ronald MARCELL. "Through operations like this, we're sending a clear message that we're united and operating in a seamless manner to identify and arrest those engaged in a myriad of crimes."

"This opium seizure further attests to the outstanding collaboration between our international and domestic law enforcement partners. I want to thank all officers involved for their dedication to keeping dangerous drugs off our streets and their vigilance in safeguarding Canada." - CBSA Spokesperson: Goran Vragovic, CBSA Regional Director General, Greater Toronto Area Region

The RCMP charged the following individual with offences relating to this investigation:

• Abdolrahman IBRAHIMI (male) (50)  of Toronto, Ontario

Charges are:

• Section 6(1) Importing drugs into Canada (Opium) (Controlled Drugs and Substance Act);
• Section 5(2) Possession for the purpose of trafficking (Controlled Drugs and Substance Act);
• Section 465 (1)(c) Conspiracy to Import a Controlled Substance (Opium)(Criminal Code).

Mr. IBRAHIMI is currently in custody and will attend a bail hearing at Old City Hall in Toronto on December 17, 2014.

For a photo related to this investigation please visit the Ontario RCMP Newsroom.

The RCMP would like to acknowledge the assistance of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Homeland Security Investigations, Canada Border Services Agency, Toronto Police Service 33 Division, Toronto Police Emergency Task Force, York Regional Police and Peel Regional Police, during this investigation.

Law enforcement agencies work diligently to make our communities a safer place to live, however your assistance in remaining vigilant and informing us of any suspicious activities will help us be even more successful.  You can contact your local police, the Ontario RCMP at 1-800-387-0020, or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477(TIPS), at any time.

SOURCE: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

For further information: Media Enquiries: RCMP Media Relations, "O" Division (Ontario), 416-992-4409