RCMP charge Caledon resident after 7 fake passports found concealed in sandals

Fraudulent passports seized following an investigation by the CBSA are shown. (CBSA)

A Caledon, Ont., resident is facing charges in connection with the seizure of fraudulent passports at Toronto Pearson International Airport.

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) says that the documents were found concealed inside sandals as officers searched a 1,600 kilogram shipment that was referred for further examination upon arrival from Nigeria.

The CBSA says that there were five fraudulent passports from the Republic of Gambia and two from South Africa in total. It says that all of the documents contained the same picture of a male with “different names and inconsistent biographical details throughout.”

The suspect was arrested following the seizure, the CBSA says.

Nnenna Oketa, 44, has since been charged with knowingly possessing a forged passport.

“This investigation underscores the critical role of inter‑agency cooperation in safeguarding Canada’s borders,” Insp. John McMath, of the RCMP’s Toronto airport detachment, said in a news release.

“Working closely with our partners at the Canada Border Services Agency allows us to protect Canadians from the risks posed by fraudulent identification documents.”