An Air Canada baggage worker faces drug charges after the Mounties say luggage tags bearing the names of two “unsuspecting” travellers headed to Germany were placed on suitcases containing large amounts of cannabis at Toronto Pearson Airport in Mississauga.

Canada Border Services Agency officers at Pearson notified the RCMP after pulling aside two pieces of luggage that were to be put on board a Feb. 19 flight to Germany, the Mounties said in a news release on Monday.

The suitcases each contained 33 kilograms of cannabis and appeared to belong to two German citizens who were travelling separately on the scheduled commercial flight to the European country, authorities said.

RCMP officers quickly determined the travellers were not known to each other and “each denied ownership of the luggage.”

Subsequent investigation “determined that the suitcases were identical and that neither passenger had checked them in,” the RCMP said, adding investigators allege that an Air Canada employee working in the baggage room “had placed luggage tags bearing the unsuspecting passengers’ names onto the suitcases that contained the cannabis.”

Authorities said both passengers cooperated fully with police and were released without charges.

The RCMP arrested an Air Canada worker on March 12 in connection with the investigation.

Atasha Weathley, 32, of Mississauga, is charged with:

Possession for the purpose of export.
Conspiracy to commit an indictable offence.

She was held for bail and released with conditions. Her next court date is scheduled for April 10 in Brampton.

RCMP Supt. Dale Foote said the Mounties and CBSA work together to clamp down on the illegal export and import of drugs.

“Individuals who attempt to exploit their position of trust within the aviation industry to facilitate illegal activity will be held accountable,” Foote added.

The RCMP and Canadian customs officials repeatedly remind travellers that while cannabis use is legal in Canada, “cross-border cannabis smuggling is a serious criminal offence.”


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