Transport Canada Vows to Take Action Against Drug Scheme Involving Innocent Passengers’ Luggage at Airports

Passengers wait at Toronto Pearson Airport, on July 19, 2024. The Canadian Press/Chris Young

After an investigation found that travellers’ baggage tags are being switched onto suitcases containing drugs to facilitate smuggling through Canadian airports, Transport Canada said it will take measures to prevent further incidents.

An investigation by CTV’s “W5” found that at least 17 passengers on flights leaving Canada were accused of drug smuggling over the last year after their baggage tags were switched onto suitcases containing drugs.

The scheme ensures that the suitcases filled with drugs are intercepted once they arrive in the destination country, while the innocent passenger whose name is on the tag may face the consequences if the bag is found.

The cases involve flights that originated in Canada and arrived in Germany, France, Morocco, South Korea, the Philippines, or the Dominican Republic. All 17 passengers were eventually released, but some had been handcuffed, arrested, and spent time in overseas jails.

The W5 investigation alleged that numerous organized crime groups have employees working for them at the Toronto Pearson International Airport, including Mexican cartels, Asian organized criminal networks, Italian mafia groups, and the Hells Angels.

Transport Canada said in a May 25 statement that it is looking at additional measures to “ensure the highest standards are in place to protect passengers, workers and airport operations.” It said that issues identified in the investigation will be addressed quickly.

Conservative MP Dan Albas raised the issue in the House of Commons on May 25, saying the bag-switching scheme had been “happening for a very long time.” The MP said with the FIFA games set to begin in a few weeks, Ottawa must take the issue seriously, and accused the government of inaction.

Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree said Canadians’ safety and security is the government’s “top priority” and law enforcement is working with airport authorities, airlines, border agencies, and other nations to detect criminal activity and disrupt crime networks.

Anandasangaree said that the RCMP have arrested six baggage and ramp workers at Toronto Pearson International Airport in relation to luggage tag swapping in the last year. He also noted that the Liberal government has invested $1.3 billion for border security and the hiring of new RCMP and Canada Border Service Agency officers.