Canadian border officers charged with importing cocaine through Pearson airport

Two Canada Border Services Agency officers stationed at Toronto Pearson International Airport were arrested by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police on Thursday for breach of trust and drug important offenses.

It’s alleged by the RCMP that between January 2016 and April 2017, two border services officers by the names of Patrick Ruddy and Brano Andrews facilitated the importation of cocaine through Canada’s busiest airport.

The RCMP made the arrests following a year and a half long joint investigation with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).

The joint investigation led to the coordinated seizures of cocaine being shipped from Colombia and Jamaica destined for Toronto, Ontario.

The two officers are now facing three charges, including breach of trust by a public officer, conspiracy to import a schedule 1 controlled substance and importing a schedule 1 controlled substance.

The RCMP have also arrested three others thought to be involved in utilizing the Toronto Pearson International Airport to import cocaine.

The RCMP suspects that the five suspects are responsible for the importation of over 30 kilos of cocaine.

"The results of this investigation is an example of the partnership between our two enforcement agencies with the shared mandate of public safety,” said Goran Vragovic, CBSA Regional Director General, Greater Toronto Area Region. “All allegations of improper or illegal behaviour by CBSA employees are taken very seriously and we continue to fully cooperate with the RCMP, who is leading the investigation. These allegations in no way reflect upon the true professionalism, dedication and integrity displayed each and every day by our CBSA staff.”

All of the accused subjects will be transported to the Brampton Court House on April 27, 2017, for a bail hearing.