A Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) investigation in Ontario has led to the arrest of two men involved in a criminal operation that used online classified advertisements to recruit women to smuggle illegal drugs out of Canada through Toronto Pearson International Airport. The RCMP and CBSA are urging the public to exercise caution when responding to online ads for job offers that promise large sums of money with little explanation and require international travel.
The investigation began after two Canadian women were arrested in Nigeria for attempting to transport cannabis into the country. They had been recruited through ads posted on the classifieds website "LeoList", targeting women aged 20 to 65. The ads promised up to $20,000 in exchange for travelling in and out of Canada while carrying illicit drugs. Following a nine-month investigation, RCMP and CBSA officers were able to intercept and disrupt the scheme before an additional illicit shipment of 29 kilograms of cannabis could leave Canada.
As a result of the investigation, RCMP Federal Policing - Central Region, Toronto Airport Detachment has charged:
Charles Adewoye (48) of Toronto:
- Exportation of Cannabis contrary to section 11(1) of the Cannabis Act;
- Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offense contrary to section 465(1) of the Criminal Code.
Shamaarke Jafar Ismail (25) of the United Kingdom:
- Possession of Cannabis for the Purpose of Exporting contrary to section 11(2) of the Cannabis Act;
- Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offense contrary to section 465(1) of the Criminal Code;
- Resisting or Obstructing a Peace Officer contrary to section 129(1) of the Criminal Code.
Adewoye and Ismail were released on bail and will appear in court on January 16, 2026.
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