NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO RCMP
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On Feb. 13, 2020, United States (US) Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officers in Memphis, Tennessee and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) intercepted a shipment originating from Paris, France containing a total of 3.15kg of ketamine consigned to an address in Markham, Ontario. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) in the Greater Toronto Area Region assisted with the importation and transfer of the shipment from US CBP to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Toronto Airport Detachment (TAD) for further investigation.
On Feb. 24, 2020, RCMP officers attended a residence in Scarborough where one male, later identified as Tie Bang (Tony) Cao was arrested.
On Feb. 25, 2020, RCMP officers executed a search warrant at Tie Bang Cao’s residence in Scarborough where the following items were seized:
- Computers;
- Cellular phones;
- Sums of cash hidden throughout the home;
- Smaller quantities of marijuana, including pre-packaged marijuana, were found throughout the house;
- Over 1,100 lbs of marijuana;
- Money counting machine and a vacuum sealer.
On March 3, 2020, a second male, later identified as Aubrey Godfrey Reid Junior, turned himself into RCMP Officers at TAD.
Tie Bang Cao (34 years old) was charged with the following:
- Importation of a controlled substance (Ketamine) into Canada - contrary to the Controlled Drug and Substances Act (CDSA);
- Possession of a controlled substance (Ketamine) for the purpose of trafficking- contrary to the CDSA;
- Conspiracy to import controlled substance (Ketamine) into Canada – contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada (CCC);
- Conspiracy to possess a controlled substance (Ketamine) for the purpose of trafficking - contrary to the CCC;
- Possession of cannabis for the purpose of distribution – contrary to the Cannabis Act (CA)
- Possession of cannabis for the purpose of selling – contrary to the CA
- Possession of cannabis for the purpose of exporting – contrary to the CA
Aubrey Godfrey Reid Junior (44 years old) of Oshawa, ON was charged with the following:
- Importation of a controlled substance (Ketamine) into Canada - contrary to the CDSA;
- Possession of a controlled substance (Ketamine) for the purpose of trafficking- contrary to the CDSA;
- Conspiracy to import controlled substance (Ketamine) into Canada – contrary to the CCC);
- Conspiracy to possess a controlled substance (Ketamine) for the purpose of trafficking - contrary to the CCC;
The next court date for both accused is scheduled for March 20, 2020, at 9:30 a.m. at the Brampton Courthouse.
“This investigation is an excellent example of why it is paramount for international law enforcement agencies to work together to protect the public and combat the illicit cross-border trafficking of narcotics. Through information sharing and intelligence-driven leads, Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) were able to successfully target and arrest the suspects involved in the illegal importation and possession for the purpose of trafficking 3.15 kilograms of ketamine, and continue our efforts to disrupt, dismantle and prosecute cross-border smuggling and trafficking organizations.”
- Michael E. Buckley, HSI Country Attaché.
"This seizure is a result of the hard work and dedication of our agencies working together. Ketamine is a drug which has street names such as "Special K", "Super C", among others. This drug has also been known to be used as a "date-rape" drug. This seizure shows how the RCMP works in partnership with the CBSA and the US border patrol, to prevent illegal activity at the border and to keep our communities safe from illicit drugs.”
- Inspector Barry Dolan, Detachment Commander Toronto Airport Detachment RCMP.
“This is an excellent example of the success we can achieve when law enforcement works in partnership to combat trans-border criminal activity. The CBSA will continue to work closely with its domestic and international law enforcement partners to combat all forms of criminal activity.”
- Lisa Janes, Regional Director General,
Greater Toronto Area Region, Canada Border Services Agency Law enforcement agencies work diligently to make our communities a safer place to live, however your assistance in remaining vigilant and informing us of any suspicious activities will help us be even more successful. If you have any information about the trafficking of Ketamine and Marijuana or wish to report other criminality, you can contact your local police, the Ontario RCMP at 1-800-387-0020, the confidential CBSA Border Watch toll-free line at 1-888-502-9060 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), at any time.
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