Two Canada Border Services officers arrested for helping smuggle cocaine into Toronto

Two Canada Border Services officers stationed at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport have been arrested.

37-year-old Patrick Ruddy (Toronto, ON) and 41-year-old Brano Andrews (Barrie, ON) have been charged with the following:

Breach Of Trust by Public Officer ; contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada (CCC)
Conspiracy to Import in a Schedule I Controlled Substance; contrary to the CCC
Importing a Schedule I Controlled Substance; contrary to the Controlled Drugs & Substances Act

According to a one-and-a-half-year RCMP investigation, in working partnership with Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), it is alleged that “between January 2016 and April 2017, Canada Border Service Officers, Patrick RUDDY and Brano ANDREWS committed offences of Breach of Trust and Controlled Drug and Substances Act Offences by facilitating the importation of cocaine through Canada’s busiest airport.”

Three other men have been arrested for their involvement in the alleged conspiracy that the RCMP believe was responsible for the importation of more than 30 kilos of cocaine into the country.

The joint investigation led to the coordinated seizures of cocaine shipped from both Colombia and Jamaica that was destined for Toronto, ON.

Goran Vragovic, CBSA Regional Director General, Greater Toronto Area Region, made this statement following the arrests:

The results of this investigation is an example of the partnership between our two enforcement agencies with the shared mandate of public safety.

All allegations of improper or illegal behaviour by CBSA employees are taken very seriously and we continue to fully cooperate with the RCMP, who is leading the investigation. These allegations in no way reflect upon the true professionalism, dedication and integrity displayed each and every day by our CBSA staff.

See also