Two people charged after 45 kilograms of cannabis found concealed in luggage at Pearson airport: RCMP

An RCMP patch is seen on the shoulder of an assistant commissioner, in Surrey, B.C., on Friday, April 28, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Two people are facing charges after border agents found a combined 45 kilograms of cannabis concealed inside their luggage at Toronto Pearson International Airport last November, police say.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) says the individuals arrived at the airport for a scheduled flight to the United Kingdom on Nov. 14.

Their luggage was subsequently examined by the Canada Border Services Agency and agents uncovered two separate cases of alleged cannabis inside with a street value of approximately $175,000, the RCMP says.

Following the discovery, the cannabis was seized and the travellers were arrested.

Krystle Lee Paula Cormack, 40, and Channelle Monique Atherton, 32, are both facing criminal charges in connection with the matter and are due in court in Brampton next month.

The latest arrest comes after a 21-year-old woman was also charged in October after police said that 45 kilograms of cannabis was found concealed inside her luggage as she awaited a Germany-bound flight at Pearson.

Just days earlier, a 21-year-old man was arrested at the airport after police said that 40 kilograms of cannabis was found inside his luggage as he awaited a flight to the United Kingdom.

In Friday’s news release, the RCMP said the latest incident is another reminder of the serious consequences individuals can face for bringing any amount of cannabis onto an international flight.

“If you are a victim, or believe you have been targeted by a criminal organization to transport cannabis, report the incident to your local police. Don’t carry luggage for others, awareness is your best defence,” Insp. John McMath, who is the officer in charge of the RCMP’s Pearson Airport detachment, said. “Be suspicious of any offer that sounds too good to be true, as you will be held responsible and that dream vacation could end up turning into a trip to prison.”