Cannabis smuggler caught in the act, pleads guilty

October 5, 2026 - Richmond, Vancouver International Airport, British Columbia
From: Federal Policing Pacific Region

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A man, who was caught attempting to smuggle cannabis in his luggage on a flight to London’s Heathrow Airport pleaded guilty and was sentenced in September following a Federal Policing Pacific Region (FPPR) investigation.

The investigation began on October 28, 2024, when Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) intercepted the accused at Vancouver International Airport seizing approximately 31 kilograms of cannabis from his suitcase.

Members of the FPPR Border Integrity team responded and arrested Alaaddin Koc, a 56-year-old man from Windsor, Ontario.  He was subsequently released pending further investigation. Charges were approved under the Cannabis Act, however, the accused failed to show up in court and a Canada-wide arrest warrant was issued. He was later located in Ontario.

On July 27, 2026, Mr. Koc pled guilty to Possession of Cannabis for the Purpose of Exportation. On September 21, 2026, he was handed a one-year prison term and given a lifetime firearms prohibition.

While Cannabis is legal in Canada, there is still an active illicit market explained Staff Sergeant Rhonda Hislop, Acting Officer-in-Charge of the Border Integrity Program (Air & Marine). 

“The outbound flow of illicit drugs is a continued focus of multiple international partners and is a priority for the FPPR Border Integrity Program,” S/Sgt. Hislop said. “The ongoing support provided by Canada Border Services Agency is critical to our enforcement efforts,” she added.

FPPR thanks the Richmond RCMP, the Windsor Border Integrity team and Windsor Police Services for their key support during this investigation.

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