Canadian authorities apprehend two men for recruiting women via online ads to smuggle drugs
Canadian authorities have apprehended and pressed charges against two individuals accused of using online classified ads to lure women into smuggling illegal drugs out of the country.
The investigation, a collaboration between the RCMP and the Canada Border Services Agency, initiated in April 2025 following the arrest of two women in Nigeria for trying to transport cannabis. Over nine months, authorities managed to intercept and dismantle the operation before a shipment of 29 kilograms of cannabis could escape Canada via Toronto Pearson Airport.
The women were targeted through advertisements on the classifieds platform “LeoList.”
According to investigators, the ads enticed individuals with promises of up to $20,000 in exchange for traveling in and out of Canada while carrying illicit drugs. The arrests of 48-year-old Charles Adewoye from Toronto and 25-year-old Shamaarke Jafar Ismail from the United Kingdom resulted from the thorough investigation.
Adewoye received two charges, including the exportation of cannabis and conspiracy to commit an indictable offense. On the other hand, Ismail faced three charges: possession of cannabis for exporting purposes, conspiracy to commit an indictable offense, and resisting or obstructing a police officer.
Both individuals were released on bail and are set to appear in court on January 16, 2025.
“This investigation underscores the significance of proactive policing in detecting and dismantling criminal activities that exploit vulnerable individuals,” remarked Dale Foote, superintendent of federal policing and Central Region Border Integrity. “The recruitment of unsuspecting community members for high-risk criminal endeavors is deeply alarming, and we are dedicated to pursuing anyone involved in such conduct.”
“Organized crime preys on the vulnerable,” noted Lisa Janes, regional director general of the CBSA’s GTA detachment. “This case illustrates the tangible costs of engaging in criminal behavior.”
Janes further emphasized, “The CBSA collaborates closely with local and international law enforcement agencies to disrupt criminal activities, fortify Canada’s border security, and thwart those attempting to endanger our communities. Sharing information with our partners is crucial for border security and plays a crucial role in directly confronting the international organized crime networks that operate across multiple countries.”
Keyphrase: online drug smuggling ads