RCMP charge 2 baggage handlers at Pearson accused of trying to smuggle $147K of cannabis to France
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Two baggage handlers at Toronto’s Pearson airport have been charged after allegedly trying to smuggle more than $147,000 in cannabis to France.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police said the two employees of baggage-handling company Swissport Canada Handling were arrested on July 4 following a drug-smuggling probe that involved baggage tag switching.
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RCMP charge 2 baggage handlers at Pearson accused of trying to smuggle $147K of cannabis to France Back to video
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Baggage tag switching involves someone purposely changing the labels on bags at an airport, RCMP said in a news release issued on Thursday.
“Each baggage tag tells airport machines where a bag should go and who it belongs to. In this case, the baggage tag was switched so it looked as though the piece of luggage with the cannabis in it belonged to an unknowing traveler,” RCMP said.
Authorities said the investigation started in late May at Pearson when a French national arrived in Paris and was detained by authorities on suspicion of importing cannabis from Canada.
Upon further investigation, French authorities released the passenger without charges and the case was referred to the RCMP Toronto airport detachment.
Investigators determined that baggage handlers allegedly manipulated baggage tags without the passenger’s consent, which led to the illicit transportation of about 21 kilograms of cannabis to France.
Dugal Hearne, 51, of Woodbridge, an employee with Swissport for more than 25 years, was charged with exporting cannabis, possession of cannabis for the purpose of export, and conspiracy to commit an indictable offence.
Edward Wynter, 56, of Brampton, a Swissport worker for more than 21 years, was charged with exporting cannabis, possession of cannabis, and conspiracy to commit an indictable offence.
“Swissport Canada Handling was cooperative upon learning about this investigation, and their support contributed to the timely apprehension of the accused,” RCMP said.
Anyone with information related to smuggling, drug importation, trafficking, or possession, or wishing to report other criminality can contact the Ontario RCMP at 1-800-387-0020, the confidential CBSA Border Watch toll-free line at 1-888-502-9060 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
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