RCMP and CBSA intercept shipment of Ketamine worth $225K smuggled from Belgium

A joint investigation by the Central Region (Ontario) Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has led to the arrest of 3 individuals for smuggling illegal drugs into Canada. On August 28, the CBSAin Montreal intercepted a shipment containing suspected Ketamine and alerted the RCMP. The package, which originated in Belgium, contained 5.59 kg of concealed Ketamine, a dangerous anesthetic drug with an approximate street value of nearly $225,000. The package was handed over to the RCMP before it could reach its intended destination in Scarborough, Ontario.

The RCMP Toronto Airport Detachment conducted an investigation into the shipment and suspected importers leading to the arrest of 3 Scarborough residents. Following the arrests, RCMP officers executed a search warrant at the residence of the accused which led to the seizure of a significant quantity of illicit substances in both powder and pill form. In addition to the drugs, officers recovered drug paraphernalia, a handgun, stun batons, various electronic devices, and a Lexus SUV.

The Central Region RCMP has charged:

• Braden Van Nguyen (21), of Scarborough, Ontario, with:
  1. Importing a Controlled Substance, contrary to section 6(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) for smuggling 5.59 kilograms of suspected Ketamine into Canada
  2. Possession of a Controlled Substance for the purpose of trafficking, contrary to section 5(2) of the CDSA
  3. Conspiracy to commit an indictable offence, contrary to section 465(1)(c) of the Criminal Code of Canada
  4. Careless storage of a firearm, contrary to section 86(1) of the Criminal Code of Canada
  5. Careless storage of prohibited ammunition, contrary to section 86(1) of the Criminal Code of Canada
  6. Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, contrary to section 88 of the Criminal Code of Canada
  7. Possession of a restricted firearm without a licence, contrary to section 91 of the Criminal Code of Canada
  8. Possession of a firearm knowing that the serial number has been altered, defaced or removed, contrary to section 108 of the Criminal Code of Canada
• Qihang Lin (21), of Scarborough, Ontario, with:
  1. Possession of a Controlled Substance for the purpose of trafficking, contrary to section 5(2) of the CDSA
  2. Conspiracy to commit an indictable offence, contrary to section 465(1)(c) of the Criminal Code of Canada
  3. Possession of a prohibited weapon, to wit: a high voltage pulse baton, contrary to section 91 of the Criminal Code of Canada
  4. Interfere with or obstruct any radio communication, to wit: a cell phone jammer, contrary to section 10 of the Radio Communications Act
• Xuanran Zhang (22), of Scarbough, Ontario, with:
  1. Possession of a Controlled Substance for the purpose of trafficking, contrary to section 5(2) of the CDSA
  2. Conspiracy to commit an indictable offence, contrary to section 465(1)(c) of the Criminal Code of Canada
  3. Possession of a prohibited weapon, to wit: a high voltage pulse baton, contrary to section 91 of the Criminal Code of Canada
  4. Interfere with or obstruct any radio communication, to wit: a cell phone jammer, contrary to section 10 of the Radio Communications Act

Zhang and Lin have been released on bail with multiple conditions.

Nguyen remains in custody and is scheduled for court date on October 20, 2025.

If you have any information related to smuggling, drug importation, trafficking, or possession, or wish to report other criminality, you can contact the Ontario RCMP at 1-800-387-0020, the confidential CBSA Border Watch toll-free line at 1-888-502-9060 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), at any time.