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The RCMP arrested two men who allegedly used a classified website to recruit women to smuggle cannabis out of Canada to Nigeria via the country’s biggest airport.
The investigation, done in collaboration with the Canada Border Services Agency, began when two Canadian women were arrested in Nigeria for allegedly smuggling in cannabis, the RCMP said Monday.
The women were approached on the website LeoList, police said. LeoList is a classified website where escorts often advertise
Police said the accused targeted women aged 20-65 and promised $20,000 to those who would travel through Toronto Pearson International Airport with the drugs.
After a nine-month investigation, police said they broke up the scheme and seized 29 kilograms of cannabis that was set to leave the country.
For comparison, if all of that cannabis was in one suitcase, it would be considered an overweight item of luggage.
“This investigation demonstrates the importance of proactive policing in detecting and dismantling criminal operations that exploit vulnerable individuals,” said RCMP Supt. Dale Foote in a news release.
“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 behaviour,” said Foote.
Police arrested a 48-year-old Toronto man and a 25-year-old man from the United Kingdom in connection with the investigation.
Both were released on bail and are due back in court in January, police said.
