Toronto police seize drugs bound for Edmonton by courier

Toronto police have seized several kilograms of cocaine and ketamine which they say a 28-year-oldman was trying to send by courier to Edmonton.

Insp. Howie Page of the Toronto drug squad credited the bust to a "very alert employee."

The employee noticed something suspicious when the suspect dropped off the first of two packages at a west-end location of a national courier company on May 20, police told reporters.

Page did not identify the employee or the company.

The authorities were contacted, found the drugs,and arrested the suspect when he returned later that afternoon to drop off a second package, which was also found to contain drugs.

Police say they seized five kilograms of cocaine andone kilogram of ketamine worth an estimated $550,000 on the street as well as $175,000 in cash.

Drugs branded

Investigators are working to find the intended recipient of the packages, which they believe were bound for Edmonton.

"Persons looking to traffic controlled substances through the mail should be warned that we will go to great lengths to intercept these packages and hold the involved persons responsible," Page told reporters.

A 28-year-old Woodbridge, Ont. man is facing several drug-related charges, including possession for the purpose of trafficking and possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime.

The drugs were triple-sealed and packaged with paprika to conceal the scent, Page said. They were also branded with the Star of David in keeping with what Page said is a growing trend in organized crime.

"Traditional organized crime often want to brand their product when it comes to drugs," he said.