Arrests in drug mule scheme

Two Brampton men were arrested and a third is being sought on a Canada-wide warrant in an RCMP investigation of a drug smuggling ring that used members of the East Indian community as mules.
Police allege the ring used couriers to bring heroin from India and other Asian countries through Pearson International Airport in the false sides of suitcases. The drugs were then distributed throughout North America.
RCMP Sgt. Frank Gougeon said couriers from the GTA were given spending money and free, week-long trips to India to return with drugs.
"The (smugglers) were preying on young people from their own community," he said. "They were coached on what to say and do."
Police said the couriers were given dope-filled luggage to use on their return. In many cases, the drugs were found by Canada Customs detector dogs.
Gougeon said officers seized 12.8 kilos of heroin, worth about $3.5 million, from the false sides of one suitcase.
Harvishal Kler, 23, and Bakshish Ghai, 22, were charged with conspiracy to import heroin into Canada.
Kler was released at a bail hearing in Brampton yesterday. Both men were slated to return to court next week. Manjit Dhanoa, 31, is being sought.
08/11/08 Tom Godfrey/Toronto Sun, Canada

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Categories: Airports Nov 2008, Foreign Nov 2008