DRUGGIES ABANDON $11M LOAD

The RCMP and Canada Customs are hunting an airport drug ring whose members
fled when they were spooked by police and left behind $11-million in
marijuana and cocaine.

Airport police said an internal ring of corrupt ramp handlers has returned
to drug smuggling after months of laying low due to tough Sept. 11 baggage
and airplane checks.

Drug officers seized 42 kilos of cocaine, worth about $8.5 million, and 125
kilos of marijuana, worth $2.5 million, in two suitcases left unclaimed on
a carousel last weekend.

"It looks like someone will be out a lot of money," one officer said.

Customs spokesman Mark Butler yesterday refused comment on specifics of the
seizure.

Global Ring

RCMP Cpl. Larry Foy declined comment also because of the investigation.

Police suspect the corrupt handlers were spooked by authorities before they
could remove the drug-filled suitcases and hide them on airport property to
be smuggled out later in their cars.

The RCMP have warned repeatedly of an international ring of airport workers
who stash drugs on Canada-bound flights that are removed later by their
colleagues here.

Airport officers said crooked handlers are paid thousands for every
drug-laden bag they remove from flights. Some handlers earn enough to buy
luxury vehicles, including Jaguars and Mercedes Benz, police said.

The Mounties have said the cocaine originates in Colombia and is
transhipped through Caribbean countries to North America.