In August, two Air Canada ground operations employees were arrested over an alleged cocaine and cannabis trafficking operation at Montréal-Trudeau Airport, raising concerns about the misuse of restricted-area workplace credentials. The RCMP searched two homes, a vehicle and the employees’ Dorval work base before questioning and releasing the suspects, who had not yet been formally charged.
According to the RCMP, the suspects “hold various positions related to ground operations at Air Canada” and have been alleged to participate in a conspiracy to transport luggage through secure areas of the airport to facilitate the importation of cocaine and the exportation of cannabis.
The investigation began after border officers intercepted 62.5 kilograms of cocaine hidden in backpacks on a flight from Punta Cana in May 2026, followed by the seizure of another 56 kilograms of cannabis. With more than 118 kilograms of drugs linked to the alleged scheme, the RCMP said its ongoing investigation could result in further arrests and charges.
The RCMP appealed for information from the public, with no further arrests announced at the time of publication. The employees were identified only as ground operations staff, while Air Canada’s involvement was limited to cooperating with the search of their workplace.
An Air Canada spokesperson told Global News the company had been “informed of the investigation into two of its employees and their arrest,” stating: “We are cooperating fully with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.”
In response to this case, the HCA Mag published several HR and workplace-security recommendations intended to reduce the risk of employees misusing privileged access. Specifically, it was recommended that HR teams should regularly review employees with restricted-area access, audit security credentials and provide confidential channels for reporting suspicious behaviour. In addition, it was also recommended for employers to document their policies and enforcement practices carefully and prepare a communications plan for responding to staff arrests or investigations.
