Drug Trafficking—Canada-U.S. Ecstasy

The Royal Canadian Mounties have reported this week that a six‑month transnational crime investigation has resulted in the seizure of approximately 55, 000 Ecstasy tablets and the arrests of 10 Canadian citizens.^[1] Authorities believe that the individuals now in custody in Windsor, Ontario were involved in a drug trafficking ring that involved the distribution of narcotics from Windsor to Toronto, and from there into the northern United States.^[2]

A spokesperson from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) described a wider distribution network in which couriers would conceal batches of the tablets in personal vehicles that they drove across the Canada‑U.S. border.^[3] The spokesperson did not elaborate on the concealment methods or how many U.S. states might have been reached. Lab analysis of the seized drugs showed that the tablets contained a mixture of Ecstasy and methamphetamines.^[4]

Referring to the joint investigative task force that included members of the RCMP Windsor Detachment Drug Section, the Canada Border Services Agency, agents from the Michigan branch of the United States Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), and local police, Sergeant Joe Krispal stated that “[t]he results speak for themselves when we are able to seize illegal commodities on both sides of the border.”^[5]

The 10 Canadian suspects, ages 18 to 67, have been charged with conspiracy to traffic drugs.^[6] Two of the individuals have also been charged with conspiracy to traffic in firearms.^[7] No information has been released yet about possible co‑conspirators within the United States.

In Canada, trafficking in drugs classified as Schedule I substances is punishable by a maximum sentence of life imprisonment under the 1996 Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (1996 c.19). The parallel statutes in the United States, 21 U.S.C. § 841 and 21 U.S.C. § 846, permit a penalty of up to life imprisonment for a Schedule I substance, and a fine of up to US$4 million (CA$4.55 million). Esctasy, or MDMA, is classified as a Schedule I substance under both schemes. Interestingly, methamphetamines are classified as Schedule I drugs in the U.S., but Schedule II drugs in Canada. Unfortunately, the penalties for trafficking in Schedule I and II drugs under Canadian law are the same.

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[1] Police Stop Ecstasy Trafficking Ring, Royal Canadian Mounted Police Press Release, Oct. 12, 2006.
[2] Id.
[3] Id.
[4] Id.
[5] Id.
[6] Id.
[7] Police Stops Ecstasy Trafficking Ring, Toronto Daily News, Oct. 11, 2006.