DRUG-TERROR LINK FEARED

Heroin Found At Pearson Was From Afghanistan

THE RCMP and Canada Customs are probing whether terrorists are behind
three attempts to smuggle heroin into Toronto from Afghanistan.
Authorities are trying to determine if al-Qaida or Taliban supporters
are smuggling the dope through Pearson airport for sale here to raise
cash for use against the U.S. and its elections in two weeks.

The police concerns stem from three seizures in the last two weeks of
28.5 kilos of heroin, worth about $13.5 million. Police said they
haven't seized this much heroin in years.

The seizures occur as travellers to the airport experience delays
during a week-long Public Service Alliance of Canada strike that now
affects some 90,000 workers. Customs and immigration officers at the
airport are required to work.

Patrizia Giolti, of the Customs Border Services Agency, said officers
are looking more closely at goods from Afghanistan.

'MORE VIGILANT'

"We are being more vigilant than normal," Giolti said.

RCMP Const. Howard Adams said his officers are working with police
worldwide to make arrests and find the source of the drugs. Four men
have been charged.

"We have seen an increase in heroin," Adams said. "So far there's
nothing to indicate this is linked to terrorism."

Customs officers last Tuesday nabbed a Spanish couple for trying to
smuggle 20 kilos of heroin and an Englishman with 5.5 kilos strapped
to his torso and legs.

Adams said four Toronto-area men were arrested last week in the latest
heroin seizure, in which 3.2 kilos of heroin was found in brass
lanterns from Afghanistan that were destined to a Toronto company.