Pubdate: Thu, 12 May 2005
Source: Province, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2005 The Province
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/vancouver/theprovince/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/476
Author: Ethan Baron
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)

CONFESSED POT-SMUGGLER FIRED FROM CANADIAN CUSTOMS JOB

Agent Awaiting Outcome

A Canadian Customs agent charged with smuggling 100 kilograms of marijuana 
into the U.S. has been yanked from his job.

Altaf Merali, 37, of Surrey was arrested May 3 at the Pacific Highway 
border crossing.

U.S. authorities allege Merali was driving a GMC Safari van with his 
customs uniform hanging in the rear window.

He flashed his customs badge and said he was on his way to visit the 
director for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, American authorities say.

A random computer selection picked the van for secondary inspection. A 
search turned up $850,000 worth of pot.

"Mr. Merali has been relieved from duty pending the results of an internal 
investigation," said Paula Shore, spokeswoman for the Canada Border 
Services Agency.

"Any issue of alleged smuggling at the border is of concern to us."

U.S. authorities allege Merali confessed to smuggling, claiming a man named 
Sam had threatened to hurt his family if he didn't commit the crime.

Merali led agents to a man he said was to pick up the pot in Bellingham, Wash.

In September, U.S. border guard Cory Whitfield, 35, tried to drive a van 
filled with more than 240 kg. of pot from B.C. into Washington. He was 
sentenced in February to five years in prison.
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