Cocaine-stuffed pumpkins found at Canadian airport, woman arrested November 1, 2013 - 12:03 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A Montreal-area woman faces two drug-related charges after border officials stumbled upon a different kind of Halloween surprise inside three pumpkins, CBC News reported. Mercedes Jerez Farias, 26, appeared before a judge in Montreal Thursday, Oct 31, and was charged with importing drugs and drug possession for the purpose of trafficking. Custom agents found three pumpkins in her luggage at Montreal's Trudeau International Airport, stuffed with approximately two kilograms of what is believed to be cocaine. Scanning equipment had detected masses inside the pumpkins, which turned out to be bags filled with a chalky substance. Officials were not able to say whether Jerez Farias is a Canadian citizen, but court documents show the accused lives in Delson on Montreal's South Shore. If found guilty, Jerez Farias faces a minimum of two years in prison. She is expected to appear for a bail hearing Friday morning. The RCMP have taken over the investigation. The CBSA says that since the beginning of 2013, there have been 173 drug seizures at Montreal's airport.Ten of those involved cocaine, with roughly 44 kilos seized. Related links:   Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads.   Partner news |  Latest news U.S. welcomes efforts to define Armenia-Azerbaijan border  The United States welcomes efforts to define the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, says Vedant Patel.Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan.Macron says France commemorates 109th anniv. of Armenian genocide Today France commemorates the 109th anniversary of the Armenian genocide of 1915, Macron says. |
