Three people charged after 1.5 tonnes of cocaine smuggled into Canada: RCMP

Two more southwestern Ontario people have been charged in connection to what RCMP say was “a sophisticated international drug importation scheme” involving 1.5 tonnes of cocaine that was seized by border services officers in Saint John, N.B. in January of last year.

The siezed cocaine has an estimated value of $198 million, according to RCMP.

On Wednesday, a news release from the RCMP, said a joint investigation was initiated, resulting in the Kitchener RCMP and Brantford Police executing search warrants in Brantford and New Hamburg this week.

“The considerable volume and value of this seizure also represents a significant financial setback to the gangs and organized crime that victimize Canadians by trafficking in these harmful narcotics,” Insp L. De Simone, Officer in charge, London- Kitchener Detachments said in the release. “These results speak to the continuous efforts and commitments the RCMP and our partners bring to public safety."

As a result, Adam Kaup, 42, from New Hamburg and Vincenzo Capotorto, 47, from Brantford have been charged with unlawfully importing cocaine and conspiracy to import cocaine.

Kaup appeared in a video call to be spoken to on Friday, with the matter being held over until Jan. 26 for a bail hearing.

Early last year, Kyle Alexander Purvis, 35, was charged with importing cocaine and possession for the purpose of trafficking in connection to the seizure.

(Submitted/RCMP)

"As evidenced in this successful investigation, cross-agency collaboration is essential to combat organized crime and beneficially impact community safety,” said Brantford Police Service Chief Rob Davis in the release. “The Brantford Police Service is proud to be a partner and I would like to thank the officers involved for their outstanding efforts."

According to the RCMP, the investigation began in the fall of 2021 after intelligence was received about exported shipments originating from Central America.

According to the RCMP, in December 2021, the Canada Boarder Service Agency began tracking a marine shipping container of interest exported from Central America with a final destination of Saint John, NB. The investigation revealed that the container's contents were imported by a Brantford resident.

In January 2022, the cocaine was seized after it was found concealed within industrial machinery.

On Jan. 27, 2022, Ontario RCMP Federal Policing executed a search warrant in Brantford, Ontario, with assistance from the CBSA, Brantford Police Service, and several area municipal police services. Six people were arrested at the scene. Five were released with no charges pending.

According to the RCMP, the investigation began in the fall of 2021 after intelligence was received about exported shipments originating from Central America.