2 Pearson border agents accused of helping smuggle cocaine into Toronto
Posted Apr 27, 2017 02:03:04 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Two Canadian border officers are accused of being part of a criminal enterprise that smuggled large amounts of cocaine through Pearson International Airport.
After an 18-month investigation the RCMP arrested five people on Thursday.
Border officers, Patrick Ruddy, 37, of Toronto, and Brano Andrews, 41, of Barrie, are both facing charges of breach of trust, conspiracy to import a schedule 1 substance, and the importation of a schedule 1 substance.
Both men were stationed at Pearson Airport, and police allege they facilitated the importation of cocaine between January 2016 and April 2017.
During the investigation the RCMP say they seized cocaine shipments from Colombia and Jamaica that were destined for Toronto. They further allege that the group was responsible for the importation of more than 30 kilos of cocaine.
Three other men, Roberto Leyva, 32, Keith Hamid, 41, and Rennie Escoffery, 57, were also arrested and are facing a slew of drug charges.
In a release, the Canada Border Services Agency’s (CBSA), Goran Vragovic said: “These allegations in no way reflect upon the true professionalism, dedication and integrity displayed each and every day by our CBSA staff,”
“All allegations of improper or illegal behaviour by CBSA employees are taken very seriously and we continue to fully cooperate with the RCMP …”
