RICHMOND, B.C. – Richmond RCMP along with the Canada Border Services Agency announced today the recent interception and seizure of five kilograms of Opium at the Vancouver International Airport.

On September 5th around 9:30 p.m. Richmond RCMP stationed at YVR received a report from CBSA that a male was being held in custody after five kilograms of opium were located in his luggage.

CBSA officers became suspicious of the male upon his entry into Canada from Tehran via Amsterdam and consequently directed him to the secondary screening area. It was at this point that CBSA officers located five kilograms of opium concealed in packages of tobacco & candy within the male’s checked luggage.

Cpl. Turley says “This is a perfect example of how different agencies work together towards the same goal of making our communities safer”.

21 year old Mohammadreza Haratisani of West Vancouver was arrested by RCMP and was held for court September 7th. Haratisani was consequently remanded for court September 16th & has been charged with Importation of a Controlled Substance & Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking.

The estimated street value of the drugs seized is between $200,000 to $300,000.