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A Cambridge, Ont. man was recently arrested as part of an international cocaine smuggling ring dating back to September of 2025.
In September of last year, the Waterloo Regional Police Drugs and Firearms Unit launched an investigation into the alleged trafficking of cocaine from Canada to Hong Kong, after a 20-year-old Cambridge woman was arrested in Hong Kong with approximately 25 kilograms of cocaine concealed in her checked luggage.
A search warrant was executed at a residence in Cambridge on Aug. 26. During the search, an unidentified 24-year-old man was arrested and charged with exporting a Schedule I substance and conspiracy to commit an indictable offence.
The accused was held in custody for a bail hearing. The investigation remains ongoing.
Waterloo Police said the arrested male was the boss of the Canadian woman who was caught with the cocaine in Hong Kong last September.
On Aug. 13, Waterloo Police arrested Cameron DeSousa for his part in this cocaine smuggling ring. The 20-year-old man was charged with exporting a Schedule I substance and conspiracy to commit an indictable offence.
He maintains his innocence.
“I thought it was jewelry… I promise I thought it was jewelry. I don’t know, I am literally just a sales rep,” DeSousa told W5.
Responding to a job ad
The case began when a woman from Cambridge was arrested at the Hong Kong International Airport for allegedly importing 25 kilos of cocaine into the country via a checked suitcase.
“During customs clearance, customs officers found the batch of suspected cocaine, weighing about 25 kilograms with an estimated market value of about $18 million ($3,191,193.00 Canadian), in her check-in suitcase,” the Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department said in a release at the time.
Only known as Jade at the time, she was one of four Canadians arrested over a four-month period. Each one of the accused flew into Hong Kong on separate flights and claimed not to know each other.
“Under the dangerous drugs ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence,” the release said. “The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million ($886,517.50 Canadian) and life imprisonment.”
Jade told W5 she was responding to a job ad, looking for an international package shipper. The starting salary was around $5,000 with all expenses paid by her employer. Expenses included the cost of the flight, accommodations and food. She said she didn’t know her luggage was filled with the drug.
This smuggling ring has further tentacles, as another individual was arrested in connection with this case.
Waterloo Police also arrested Alexander Kwan in June of this year. The 36-year-old Markham resident was charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking and possession for the purpose of exportation. Investigators believe he was a driver for the couriers.
The price for a gram of cocaine in Hong Kong is approximately $130-$200 US. In Canada, a gram of cocaine costs approximately $60-80 US per gram.
Jade is due in a Hong Kong court later this month.
ganderson@postmedia.com