2 Air Canada Employees Arrested in Connection with Trafficking Cocaine and Cannabis at Montreal Airport

Two Air Canada employees are accused of trafficking drugs through secure areas of Montreal's main airport

Authorities allege the suspects used luggage tag switching to smuggle cocaine from Punta Cana and export cannabis there

Air Canada and airport officials are cooperating with authorities as the investigation continues

Two Air Canada employees have been arrested in connection with alleged cocaine and cannabis trafficking through one of Canada's busiest airports, authorities have announced.

According to a Wednesday, Aug. 26 press release from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), the two suspects held various positions related to Air Canada ground operations at Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport in Québec. Authorities allege the individuals "participated in a conspiracy" to bring and move luggage through secure areas of the facility to import cocaine and export cannabis.

RCMP said the investigation began in May 2026 when a Canada Border Services Agency operation intercepted 62.5 kg (138 lbs.) of cocaine concealed in backpacks carried on a flight from Punta Cana. During the course of the investigation, an additional 56 kg (123 lbs.) of cannabis was also seized.

Search warrants have been executed for two residences and a vehicle in the greater Montreal area, per the RCMP. A search is also being conducted, in coordination with the airline, within the employees' work base located in Dorval, Québec.

RCMP corporal Marie-Pierre Guertin tells Canadian outlet CTV News that the suspects had "access to secure zones."

"Being able to handle the luggage and go through the system where all the luggage with the tags and all that, it did give them easier access to be able to get the drugs in certain luggage to be able to export them," she said. "In this case...cocaine was imported from Punta Cana, and cannabis was exported to Punta Cana."

She added: "The way that the suspects worked, basically, is they switched tags of suitcases or luggage that is going to a certain destination to be able to transport the luggage containing the drugs."

However, Guertin did not specify how long the suspects have been involved in the alleged drug trafficking. She also did not share how many foreign countries were implicated or the monetary value of the alleged illegal goods.

In a statement shared with PEOPLE, a spokesperson for Aéroports de Montréal says they are cooperating with authorities in the investigation. They added: "It is important to note that access to the airport's restricted areas is governed by strict requirements, including screening and verification processes conducted by the appropriate authorities and employers, as well as ongoing controls carried out by various security partners, including the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) and Airport Security."

Due to the ongoing investigation, the spokesperson did not provide further comment.

Air Canada confirmed to PEOPLE it was informed of the arrests of two of its employees. The airline added that it is "cooperating fully" with RCMP and that the individuals have been suspended during the investigation.

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RCMP said the two individuals arrested will be questioned and released pending further proceedings. Additional arrests may be made as additional evidence is analyzed and collected.