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Security screeners conspired to smuggle ecstasy: police

Richmond man, 24, charged with plot to export 14.7 kilograms of ecstasy
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Some 14.77 kilograms of ecstasy was found inside the backpack carried by a Vancouver man at the Vancouver International Airport.

A young Richmond man who was working as a pre-board screening officer at the Vancouver International Airport has been charged with conspiring to smuggle 14.77 kilograms of ecstasy.

Gurvinder Singh Pahl, 24, is charged with trafficking a controlled substance, possessing a controlled substance, conspiracy to traffic a controlled substance and breach of trust.

His next court appearance in Richmond provincial court is June 15.

On Thursday, the RCMP announced the ecstasy seizure, which occurred on Monday, May 9.

Based on intelligence and co-operation between Mounties, Canada Border Services Agency, Canadian Air Transport Security Authority, Transport Canada and Vancouver International Airport, a 20-year-old Vancouver man was pulled aside in the post-security section of the United States departure gates.

During questioning, he admitted to carrying drugs in his backpack.

Inside the backpack, nearly 15 kilograms of MDMA, otherwise known as ecstasy, was found.

An investigation was launched by the RCMP's border integrity program and drug enforcement branch, which quickly uncovered a conspiracy was at work to export the ecstasy.

The conspiracy allegedly involved two uniformed pre-board screening officers working for the federal security authority.

On May 20, police arrested Pahl as well as Surrey's Ajitpal Singh Judge, who appeared in Richmond court on Tuesday.

They were released on bail and will make their next court appearance on June 15.

The man found carrying the drugs, Vancouver's Dylan Scott Green, is also charged with conspiracy to traffic a controlled substance and possession for the purpose of trafficking.

RCMP Const. Michael McLaughlin said the investigation is ongoing.