Charges laid against woman after heroin bust at Calgary Airport; suspect swallowed pellets to avoid detection: police

RCMP have laid charges against a woman in connection to a heroin bust at Calgary International Airport last month.

On Nov. 22, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) stopped a woman who had arrived at the airport.

“A subsequent investigation by CBSA determined that she had swallowed numerous heroin pellets in efforts to avoid detection,” an RCMP news release said Wednesday. “Additionally, she was found to have heroin concealed in her suitcase.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "A subsequent investigation by CBSA determined that she had swallowed numerous heroin pellets in efforts to avoid detection," an RCMP news release said Wednesday. "Additionally, she was found to have heroin concealed in her suitcase."

Police said about 1350 g was seized, making for about 13,500 individual doses.

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In a message posted to Twitter, the CBSA says swallowing narcotics to evade detection is extremely dangerous and agency officers potentially saved a life.

Police said Mariam Salehe, 38, a foreign national, has been charged with importation of a controlled substance and possession for the purpose of trafficking.

Salehe remains in custody and will appear in Calgary court on Friday.

With files from the Canadian Press