Ontario man sentenced to one year in prison for smuggling 31kg cannabis through Vancouver airport
Alaaddin Koc attempted to take the cannabis to London's Heathrow Airport. He skipped court after his arrest, prompting a Canada-wide warrant.
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A 56-year-old Ontario man has been sentenced to one year in prison for attempting to smuggle 31 kilograms of cannabis through Vancouver International Airport to London's Heathrow Airport.
Alaaddin Koc of Windsor was intercepted by the Canada Border Services Agency at Vancouver airport on October 28, 2024, with the cannabis packed in his suitcase. The RCMP Federal Policing Pacific Region border integrity team arrested him and approved charges under the Cannabis Act.
Koc failed to appear in court after his arrest, leading authorities to issue a Canada-wide warrant. He was later found in Ontario. On July 27, he pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis for the purpose of exportation. Sentencing occurred September 1, and Koc received a lifetime firearms ban in addition to his prison term.
"The outbound flow of illicit drugs is a continued focus of multiple international partners and is a priority for the FPPR Border Integrity Program," said RCMP Staff Sgt. Rhonda Hislop, acting officer in charge of Federal Policing Pacific Region Border Integrity Program for air and marine. "While cannabis is legal in Canada, there is still an active illicit market."
The facts
How much cannabis was Alaaddin Koc caught smuggling?
Alaaddin Koc attempted to smuggle 31 kilograms of cannabis through Vancouver International Airport.
When was Koc intercepted at Vancouver airport?
Koc was intercepted on October 28, 2024.
What was Koc's sentence?
Koc received one year in prison and a lifetime firearms ban.
Where was Koc trying to take the cannabis?
He was attempting to take the cannabis to London's Heathrow Airport.
