CBSA marks first drug bust of 2012 at Calgary International Airport

Two men have been charged after two separate drug seizures at the Calgary International Airport in less than a week.

The first happened Thursday, January 19th when officers with the Canada Border Services Agency searched two bags during secondary examination.

Their owner was heading to Fort McMurray, returning from the United Kingdom.

Inside officers found 250 bundles, almost 30 kilograms of a plant-like substance called Khat.

"This is a stimulant, it's a very low-level stimulant so in other words you're not getting as much as the other drugs but at the same time because you can chew it you can keep chewing it so that stimulation stays with you," says RCMP Sergeant Patrick Webb.

"And then on Sunday January 22nd, CBSA officers seized approximately 3 and a half kilograms of opium from a Vancouver man returning from Tehran via Frankfurt," says Acting Chief Tim Ziola. "The opium was found in two false-sided compartments."

CBSA arrested the travellers and turned them as well as the narcotics over to the RCMP.

Umar Ahmed, age 27 of Fort McMurray is charged with importation of Khat and Possession of Khat for the Purpose of Trafficking.

Hassan Jaleh, age 46 of North Vancouver, is charged with Importation of Opium and Possession of Opium for the Purpose of Trafficking.

A court appearance for both has been set for March 26th, in Calgary Provincial Court.