Toronto couple charged after 520 kg of illicit drugs discovered

November 15, 2023    Windsor, Ontario      Canada Border Services Agency/Royal Canadian Mounted Police

On March 4, 2023, a semi-truck coming into Canada at the Ambassador Bridge border crossing  was referred for secondary examination by Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) border services officers. During a thorough inspection of the trailer, officers discovered suspected methamphetamine weighing approximately 300 kilograms. The driver was arrested, handed over to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), and was subsequently released. 

Windsor RCMP Border Integrity (BI) with assistance from CBSA Windsor Intelligence and Enforcement Operations Division, began an in-depth investigation to determine where the methamphetamine was coming from and who was responsible. Windsor RCMP BI identified Marvin Watson (31 years old) of Toronto, Ontario, as the suspected organizer of the initial shipment. His partner, Maria Kiguru (33 years old) of Toronto, was also suspected of having been involved in the criminal activity. 

Since the incident, investigators gathered evidence that led them to believe that Watson and Kiguru were responsible for more than just trafficking in methamphetamine. During the investigation, police observed Watson arrive at his residence in a moving van. Police stopped the vehicle and arrested Watson finding 120 kilograms of cocaine in the van.

Search warrants were executed by RCMP with assistance from the CBSA at the residence of Watson and Kiguru in Toronto. The search resulted in officers finding and seizing more drugs, including 100 kilograms of methamphetamine, one kilogram of opium, two kilograms of MDMA, and several kilograms of marijuana. Officers also found evidence of possession of proceeds of crime and money laundering. 

Both Watson and Kiguru were arrested. Watson remains in custody and Kiguru is waiting for her next court date. Charges for each are as follows:

Maria Kiguru 

• Importation of methamphetamine contrary to sec 6(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA)
• Conspiracy to Import contrary to sec 465(1) of the Criminal Code of Canada (CCC)
• Money laundering contrary to sec 462.31 of the CCC
• Proceeds of crime offences contrary to sec 354(1) of the CCC

Marvin Watson 

• Importation of methamphetamine contrary to sec (6) of the CDSA
• Conspiracy to import, contrary to sec 465(1) of the CCC
• Possession for Purpose of Trafficking – Cocaine, contrary to sec 5(2) of the CDSA
• Possession for Purpose of Trafficking – Methamphetamine, contrary to sec 5(2) of the CDSA
• Money laundering contrary to sec 462.31 of the CCC
• Proceeds of crime offences. contrary to sec 354(1) of the CCC

As a result of this investigation, the CBSA and RCMP prevented $13 million worth of drugs from reaching Canadian streets. 

This file was successful due to the joint efforts of the CBSA at the Ambassador Bridge port of entry and the Windsor Intelligence and Enforcement Operations Division; RCMP Windsor Border Integrity; and Homeland Security Investigations. We would also like to thank the following RCMP teams: Special I, Niagara on the Lake Border Integrity Unit, O Division Border Integrity Air Domain, Toronto Airport Detachment, O Division Criminal Analysis Section and Digital Forensic Services Unit. Additional thank you to Toronto Police Service and the U.S. Department of Forensic Sciences for their support on this file.