Vancouver, Jan 27 (IANS) Canadians police have seized a record quantity of drugs hidden inside a tombstone that was imported from Iran.
Though drug smugglers have always been deploying newer methods of smuggling to beat police, this novel method has left many dumbfounded.

Police revealed Tuesday that they seized 56.8 kg of opium from the 550-kg tombstone when the shipment landed at Vancouver airport earlier this month. The contraband was seized when the officers of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Canadian Border Service Agency (CBSA) inspected the tombstone.

“While conducting a secondary examination on the tombstone, CBSA officers discovered a cavity inside containing 56.8 kg of opium. Officers seized the illicit drug,” police said in a statement Tuesday.

Thought police allowed the consignment to be delivered to an address on the outskirts of Vancouver, they raided the delivery address next day and arrested a 39-year-old woman. Her husband was also arrested later the same day. Police also picked up two other men who had rented space at the delivery address.

“This opium seizure was unprecedented because of the total quantity of the drug seized here in Canada.

“The concern for public safety, due to an array of harmful effects to those who consume the substance, which is very similar to the effects of heroin, is very concerning,” police said.

More than three years ago, police had uncovered a similar smuggling attempt by seizing drugs hidden inside a slab marble imported from India.

Thanks to Canada’s lax laws, drug smuggling is increasingly becoming a route to quick riches. Indo-Canadian youths in the Vancouver area have increasingly taken to drug smuggling to make quick money. The resultant gang turf wars have left more than 100 youths dead since the mid-1990s.