Based on coverage from Global News, The Toronto Star, CP24, and The Epoch Times.
Canadian authorities have disrupted a drug smuggling operation that allegedly recruited women through online classified advertisements. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) announced the arrests of two men in connection with the scheme, which involved smuggling cannabis out of Toronto's Pearson International Airport.
Online Ads Targeted Canadian Women
The investigation began after two Canadian women were arrested in Nigeria for attempting to transport cannabis into the country. Authorities revealed that the women were recruited through ads on "LeoList," a Canadian website known for classified ads, including those for escort services. The ads targeted women aged 20 to 65, promising up to $20,000 for travelling internationally while carrying illicit drugs.
Nine-Month Investigation Leads to Arrests
Over nine months, the RCMP and CBSA worked together to intercept the criminal operation. Their efforts culminated in the prevention of an additional 29 kilograms of cannabis from being smuggled out of Canada. The two men arrested in connection with the scheme are Charles Adewoye, a 48-year-old from Toronto, and Shamaarke Jafar Ismail, a 25-year-old from the United Kingdom. Both face multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit an indictable offence.
Authorities Urge Caution with Online Job Offers
In light of the arrests, the RCMP and CBSA are warning the public to be cautious when responding to online job offers that promise large sums of money with little explanation and require international travel. RCMP Superintendent Dale Foot emphasized the concern over the recruitment of unsuspecting individuals for high-risk criminal activities, reaffirming the commitment to pursue those engaging in such behaviour.
Court Appearance Scheduled for January
The two men have been released on bail and are scheduled to appear in court on January 16. As the investigation continues, Canadian authorities remain vigilant in their efforts to combat drug smuggling and protect the public from being exploited through deceptive online advertisements.
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Coverage was consistent across all sources, with reports focusing on the disruption of a drug smuggling operation that recruited women through online classified ads to transport cannabis out of Canada via Toronto Pearson International Airport. No meaningful differences in coverage were found across the sources provided.
