A B.C. man has been charged with importing opium after five kilograms of the raw drug was found hidden in tobacco boxes and candy containers in his luggage at Vancouver International Airport.
West Vancouver resident Mohammadreza Haratisani, 21, was arrested on Sept. 5 after arriving on a flight bound from Tehran via Amsterdam.
Canadian Border Services Agency officers searched his baggage after they say he gave inconsistent information to airport officials. Police say the seizure is worth between $200,000 and $300,000.
Richmond RCMP Cpl. Sherrdean Turley said that Haratisani has been charged with importing a controlled substance and possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking.
"We do not believe for a minute that this is for personal consumption," Turley said.
Harastani is scheduled to make his next court appearance on Thursday.
Opium can be broken down to make heroin and other opiates like morphine, but the raw drug is sometimes used by members of the Metro Vancouver's Middle Eastern community.
