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YVR police dog sniffs out suspected 50 pounds of Toronto-bound B.C. bud

A police dog named Hooper was Johnny on the spot at Vancouver International Airport last Friday when it intercepted what is suspected to be 23 kilograms (50 pounds) of cannabis being transported in outbound luggage, according to Richmond RCMP.
Hooper drugs
Hooper from the Lower Mainland Integrated Police Dog Services sniffed out suspected drugs at YVR on June 22, 2018, according to Richmond RCMP.

A police dog named Hooper was Johnny on the spot at Vancouver International Airport last Friday when it intercepted what is suspected to be 23 kilograms (50 pounds) of cannabis being transported in outbound luggage, according to Richmond RCMP.

The suspect, a male in his early 40s, from Windsor, Ontario was arrested after undercover police officers noticed his “unusual behaviour” prior to boarding an outbound flight to Toronto.

“A Lower Mainland Integrated Police Dog Services (IPDS) unit was activated and assisted in locating approximately 23 kg (50 Lbs) of contraband believed to be marijuana (pending tests) packed in several suitcases,” noted an RCMP news release Monday.

“Along with our uniformed patrol officers visible throughout YVR, there are many plainclothes RCMP officers deployed to maintain the safety and security of all the travellers and workers in and around the Vancouver International Airport,” says Corporal Dennis Hwang.

While Canada is set to legalize personal possession and use of cannabis on Oct. 17, possession will be limited to 30 grams of dried cannabis (150 grams of fresh cannabis).

Presently, possession of several kilograms of marijuana could result in up to five years in prison, according to the Canadian Bar Association (CBA).

Until Oct. 17, possession of cannabis remains a criminal offence.

“For a first conviction for possession of up to 30 grams, a summary offence, the maximum penalties are a fine of $1000 or 6 months in jail, or both. But the penalty for a first offence is usually much less. For a second offence, the maximums are a $2,000 fine and one year in jail, or both,” notes CBA.