Airport employees with alleged links to organized crime, drug trafficking and violence received security clearance, investigation reveals
W5 says more than 7,500 workers flagged for security concerns still received clearance across Canada’s four largest airports.
- CTV News investigative unit W5 uncovered troubling security gaps at Toronto Pearson International Airport, revealing how organized crime groups exploit employees to move illicit cargo through restricted areas.
- Retired RCMP organized crime investigator Ulisses Botelho says organized crime networks, including the Hells Angels and Mexican cartels, utilize corrupt insiders to bypass security because insider access is essential to drug smuggling operations.
- Transport Canada approved over 125,000 security clearances across Canada's four largest airports in five years, yet more than 7,500 employees flagged for security concerns still received access to restricted zones.
- In 20 years working airside at Pearson, ramp worker Charles has only been searched once leaving the airport. He said, "You could walk out carrying a cruise missile and they wouldn't even stop you."
- Despite these documented risks, it remains nobody's official mandate at Toronto Pearson to routinely search employees leaving the premises, leaving the airport vulnerable to organized crime exploitation.
4 Articles
4 Articles
Exclusive investigation reveals security gaps and organized crime at Toronto airport: ‘You could walk out carrying a cruise missile’
This exclusive report from CTV News’ investigative unit W5 reveals the inner workings of international drug smuggling operations involving Canada’s largest airport.
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Canada’s busiest airport is facing renewed scrutiny after a sweeping investigation uncovered troubling questions about how employees allegedly tied to organized crime, drug trafficking, and violence were able to maintain security clearance inside restricted airport zones for years. A new W5 investigation has revealed that multiple workers at Toronto Pearson International Airport — including some linked to major criminal investigations ... Read M…
CTV Probe Exposes Airport Bag-Tag Switching Scheme Used to Smuggle Drugs
An exclusive investigation by CTV News has revealed a drug smuggling ring operating out of Toronto’s Pearson International Airport. According to the broadcaster, the scheme involves airport employees taking luggage tags off checked baggage, discarding that baggage within the airport's baggage system, then affixing the stolen luggage tags to drug-filled suitcases brought into the airport by yet-to-be determined methods. If accomplices in destinat…
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