17 travellers from Canada wrongly detained overseas in airport drug baggage tag switching racket

Updated: May 22nd, 2026

(Representative image)

At least 17 innocent passengers travelling on international flights originating from Canada were detained overseas over the past year after airport workers allegedly switched their baggage tags onto suitcases filled with drugs, revealed a major investigation by Canada’s CTV News investigative programme W5.

Past investigations reportedly found at least 17 innocent passengers travelling on international flights from Canada were detained over the past year in similar cases. Officials later released all of them after investigations cleared them of involvement in drug smuggling.

While all passengers were eventually released, several were allegedly handcuffed, arrested and jailed abroad before authorities determined they had no involvement in the smuggling operations.

According to the investigation, the affected passengers were travelling to destinations including the Dominican Republic, France, Germany, Morocco, Bermuda, the Philippines and South Korea, where drug smuggling charges can carry severe punishments, including the death penalty in some countries.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police reportedly arrested six baggage and ramp workers at Toronto Pearson Airport in connection with luggage tag switching investigations during the past year. Investigators believe many more undetected cases may exist because passengers often do not realize their baggage tags were removed.

CTV News reported that the alleged scheme involves corrupt airport workers removing baggage tags from unsuspecting passengers’ luggage and attaching them to suitcases packed with narcotics. If the drug-filled bag clears airport checks, it is allegedly collected by criminal networks at the destination airport. If intercepted, the innocent traveller whose name appears on the baggage tag faces the consequences.

One such case surfaced earlier this year when the RCMP arrested and charged an Air Canada employee in connection with an alleged attempt to smuggle around 66 kilograms of cannabis to Germany using unsuspecting passengers’ identities.

Police said the case emerged after the Canada Border Services Agency discovered two suitcases carrying approximately 33 kilograms of cannabis each during checks on passengers scheduled to depart from Toronto Pearson airport to Germany.

Investigators later alleged that the baggage tags of two German citizens had been attached to the drug-filled suitcases without their knowledge by an airport baggage room employee.

The RCMP subsequently arrested 32-year-old Atasha Weathley of Mississauga and charged her with possession for the purpose of export under the Cannabis Act and conspiracy to commit an indictable offence under Canada’s Criminal Code.

Officials reportedly advised travellers to take photos or videos of their luggage before check-in and use tracking devices such as Airtags to monitor their bags during travel.