Source: Ottawa Citizen (Canada) Contact: http://www.ottawacitizen.com/ Pubdate: Sat, 20 June 1998 Author: Kate Swoger, Citizen Special ALERT CUSTOMS OFFICER AT DORVAL THWARTS HUGE DRUG SHIPMENT MONTREAL -- Revenue Canada officials at Dorval airport have made the largest seizure of the illicit party drug ecstasy in North America, thanks to the instincts of a customs officer. Forty-four thousand tablets of the drug were discovered by the officer Sunday in two false-sided suitcases. They were carried by a passenger arriving from Brussels via Paris. "It was because of the custom official's watchfulness," Susan Cloutier, a spokesman for Revenue Canada, said yesterday. The ecstasy has an estimated street value of $1.7 million. "It's the most important seizure so far in Canada and in North America," Ms. Cloutier said. Elidhu Zalah, a 33-year-old Israeli citizen, was arrested for illegal importation of drugs and possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking. He was turned over to the RCMP. The ecstasy seizure, the first at Dorval, is the second-largest in the world, Ms. Cloutier said. The discovery of the drugs was not part of a targeted investigation. "We don't know these people. It wasn't a tip we had," said Const. Michel Fortin, a spokesman for the RCMP at Dorval airport. "The passenger came in, they searched the luggage and they found the stuff in the bags." As a result, the police have little information about Mr. Zalah, where the drugs came from or whom they were intended for. Const. Fortin said Mr. Zalah is likely part of a larger organized-crime ring, but police don't know which one. Ecstasy, a drug originally developed as an appetite suppressant, is a hallucinogen and stimulant. It causes a rush of energy and heightened perception. "It's a relatively new drug. It's been around for maybe six or seven years. I know it's popular with the kids," Const. Fortin said. Several people have died after using the drug. It can cause compulsive behaviour and trigger the release of a hormone that affects the kidneys. Ecstasy is often sold or handed out free at raves, all-night dance parties attended mostly by teenagers and young adults. Last week at the UN drug summit, Solicitor General Andy Scott said Canada has a serious drug problem, pointing to the growing availability of synthetic drugs like ecstasy. Copyright 1998 The Ottawa Citizen - --- Checked-by: (Joel W. Johnson)