High-security airport inspector on weapons charge

[Widow]

A Transport Canada inspector at Pearson airport has been charged with weapons offences and suspended without pay from his high-security job, officials say.

The suspect was charged May 3 with possession of prohibited weapons and importing a banned weapon, Peel Regional Police Insp. Bob Strain said yesterday.

Police and Transport Canada officials refused to release his identity or his duties.

"We don't believe this is a security issue," Strain said. "The offence relates to one suspect involving a certain incident."

"We have begun an internal investigation and are co-operating with local authorities," Transport Canada spokesman Paula Fairfax said.

The suspect had a bail hearing in Brampton court last Friday and was released.

Toronto Sun

[Jim N]

Prohibited weapon, lets see....That could be any of the following:

Mace
Taser
Fully automatic or short barrelled firearm
Brass knuckles
Butterfly knife
Push dagger
Switchblade
Sword (disguised as a cane or umbrella)

There are also a bunch of things considered 'prohibited items' too. This could be unpinned firearms mags, certain types of ammo (ie flechettes), etc. Since they use the word 'weapon' in the article, I'd assume it is something on my first list...

I would be interested to find out what it was. Most likely some form of knife....CBSA constantly confiscates them as prohibited weapons (often even when they are not). If this was a smuggling venture though I would have to guess on a firearm. Way more profit potential than a knife.

[Cat Driver]

"We have begun an internal investigation and are co-operating with local authorities," Transport Canada spokesman Paula Fairfax said.

Good, now I feel better knowing everything will be done in our best intrest.

By the way what's with this?

Transport Canada spokesman Paula Fairfax said.

Is Paula a mans name?

[Widow]

Pearson security inspector arrested on weapons charges

May 17, 2007 04:30 AM
bruce campion-smith
ottawa bureau

OTTAWA–A Transport Canada security inspector at Pearson International Airport has been suspended and is facing criminal charges after prohibited weapons were imported from the United States.

Detectives made the arrest at Transport Canada's Toronto centre, at the airport.

"He had in his possession several prohibited weapons which had been imported into Canada improperly. He misrepresented himself in order to procure these weapons from the United States," said Const. Samantha Nulle, of Peel Region police.

The weapons involved included flick knives and daggers, she said.

"It's believed that he was acting on his own and at no time was there a breach of security," Nulle said.

Transport Minister Lawrence Cannon announced the arrest this week in the Commons and used the incident to tout the department's vigilance.

"This is an ongoing example of how as a government we are much more vigilant today in terms of our safety and security," Cannon said.

Transport Canada spokesperson Paula Fairfax said the incident occurred within the department's own facilities and not the airport. The agency has launched an internal probe of the incident, and senior managers will determine what action to take, she said.

Sam Garito, 35, of Markham was arrested May 3. He has been charged with two counts of possession of a prohibited weapon, importing a prohibited weapon, careless storage of ammunition and false pretences.

He's been suspended from the department without pay.

http://www.thestar.com:80/News/article/214875

[Cat Driver]

Transport Canada spokesperson Paula Fairfax said the incident occurred within the department's own facilities and not the airport. The agency has launched an internal probe of the incident, and senior managers will determine what action to take, she said.

He will in all likelyhood be transferred to the Pacific Region to compliment the others who have been transfrred here.

[Hedley]

4900 Yonge St is heard from once again ....

[snaproll20]

Sounds like that boy has made a name for himself. Promotion cannot be far behind. Just shows the type of people who have our livelihoods in their hands.

Of course, he could have been on his way to Ottawa to..........................

[Widow]

I heard an interesting story about this case recently. Not sure if it is true or not ...

Here's what I remember being told.

The inspector in question was one of the guys who would "test" security by trying to get through with weapons. But the CATSA (?) only wanted TC to use specific weapons. The inspector didn't think that was such a good idea because it meant the weapons were too easy to identify and got permission from his superiors to import other weapons. When he was "caught", they hung him out to dry.

Does anyone know if the testing of security is restricted to specific weapons? I can't help but wonder if this isn't the real truth behind this story.

[snaproll20]

but, Widow, if he was doing it as a test, he should have been protected by a letter from his superior and in the interim
(Jeez, this was 2 + years ago) he should have been squealing like a stuck pig.

[black hole]

That's a sneeky way of getting rid of a bad apple: No?


BH