An employee working in the baggage handling area at Air Canada is facing criminal charges after investigators alleged the worker attempted to smuggle 66 kilograms of cannabis out of the country by attaching unsuspecting travellers’ luggage tags to suitcases filled with drugs at Toronto Pearson International Airport.
According to a statement released by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, officers were alerted on February 19 after Canada Border Services Agency officials discovered two suitcases containing approximately 33 kilograms of cannabis each. The bags were associated with two German citizens who were scheduled to depart on separate commercial flights to Germany.
Police said the two travellers did not know one another and both denied ownership of the luggage. Investigators later confirmed that neither individual had actually checked in the suitcases linked to their names.
Authorities allege the investigation revealed that an Air Canada employee working in the airport’s baggage room attached the passengers’ luggage tags to the drug-filled suitcases without their knowledge. The two travellers were released after officers determined they were not connected to the shipment.
On March 12, police arrested 32-year-old Atasha Weathley of Mississauga. She has been charged with possession for the purpose of export and conspiracy to commit an indictable offence. Investigators said the case highlights the importance of safeguarding Canada’s aviation system against attempts to exploit trusted positions within airport operations.
Weathley was released on bail with conditions and is scheduled to appear before a court in Brampton on April 10. Air Canada has been contacted for comment but had not issued a response at the time of publication.
