Pubdate: Tue, 05 Sep 2000
Source: Calgary Sun, The (CN AB)
Copyright: 2000 The Calgary Sun
Contact:  2615 12 Street N.E., Calgary, Alberta T2E 7W9
Fax: (403) 250-4180
Website: http://www.canoe.ca/CalgarySun/
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Author: Mike D'Amour

AIRPORT COCAINE ARRESTS

Alert Customs agents snag record $12M coke bust

The "flags went up" for airport customs agents and a pair of 
international dope smugglers went down this weekend during a bust that 
netted $12 million in cocaine -- the largest such seizure in Alberta's 
history.  

Customs officials seized 60 kg (133 lbs) of cocaine which had been 
hidden in dinnerware boxes carried in three suitcases by a couple of 
men returning from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.  

"We have primary indicators -- such as the person's demeanor and 
answers to certain questions we ask -- when you go through primary 
customs," said Ron Quinn of Canada Customs.  

"The flags went up on this one when customs officers saw the men," he 
said.  

The two Mexican men were taken to a customs interrogation room and 
their luggage was searched.  

Officials opened one of several boxes mingled with clothing at the 
bottom of the suitcases and found the cocaine. It was simply wrapped in 
brown paper, then covered with clear plastic.  

"This was not a very sophisticated scheme and we have no idea why it 
was carried this way in those dishware boxes," Quinn said.  

But the packaging is similar to recent seizures in Europe and 
investigators believe the group responsible has a worldwide 
distribution network, said RCMP Staff Sgt. Birnie Smith, Calgary drug 
section commander.  

The men flew into Calgary from Mexico via Dallas-Fort Worth, Tex. on 
Saturday night.  

As soon as the dope was discovered, the cocaine and the men were turned 
over to the RCMP.  

"The men gave up without any trouble," Quinn said.  

Police charged the two men -- and a third suspect who was already in 
Calgary -- with drug-related offences.  

Ricardo Rangel Corona, 45, Evelia Barreto Robles, 27, and Juan Carlos 
Quintero Cortes, 27, all of Mexico, were charged with one count each of 
importing a controlled substance and possession of cocaine for the 
purpose of trafficking.  
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