2 Air Canada employees arrested by RCMP in connection with alleged drug trafficking

The two Air Canada employees were arrested in connection with cocaine and cannabis trafficking through Montreal's Trudeau International Airport, according to the RCMP.

Photo: La Presse canadienne / Christinne Muschi

The RCMP say they arrested two Air Canada employees Wednesday who are suspected of facilitating the trafficking of cocaine and cannabis through Montreal's Trudeau International Airport.

In a news release published Wednesday morning, the federal police service says it's executing search warrants at two residences and a vehicle in the greater Montreal area. It is also searching Air Canada employees' work base in Dorval, Que., with co-operation from the airline.

According to the investigation, the two suspects hold various positions related to ground operations at Air Canada.

They are alleged to have participated in a conspiracy to bring and move luggage through secure areas of the airport to facilitate the importation of cocaine and the exportation of cannabis, read the RCMP's statement.

RCMP arrest Air Canada employees suspected of trafficking drugs at Montreal airport

The two Air Canada employees were arrested and questioned Wednesday. The RCMP say the investigation began in May, when dozens of kilograms of cocaine were intercepted on a flight from the Dominican Republic.

The investigation was triggered in May after 62.5 kilograms of cocaine concealed in backpacks were intercepted from a flight from Punta Cana, according to the RCMP. An additional 56 kilograms of cannabis were also seized over the course of the investigation.

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The two individuals arrested will be questioned and released pending further proceedings, it says.

Air Canada says the two employees have been suspended pending the ongoing investigation.