Worker put roughly 66 kilograms of cannabis in passengers’ bags
Air Canada's HR personnel are dealing with yet another headache, with one worker allegedly getting caught committing a crime in the line of duty.
An employee has been charged after an investigation into an alleged attempt to export approximately 66 kilograms of cannabis from Toronto Pearson International Airport, according to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).
In a statement, the RCMP Federal Policing – Central Region said officers arrested and charged the employee on 12 March following an incident first detected at Toronto Pearson on 19 February.
On that date, RCMP officers were called in to assist after the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) allegedly located about 33 kilograms of cannabis in each checked bag belonging to two German citizens scheduled to depart on a commercial flight to Germany.
Cannabis laws have given Canadian employers a headache, one expert previously told HRD. And the percentage of employees testing positive for marijuana after a workplace accident reached a 25-year high in 2022, with the positivity rate increasing by over 200% within a decade, according to a previous report.
Investigation findings
According to the RCMP, both passengers were travelling separately and were not known to each other. RCMP officers arrested both individuals at the time, but each denied ownership of the luggage.
The subsequent RCMP investigation determined that the suitcases were identical and that neither passenger had checked them in.
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. The RCMP said both passengers cooperated fully with police and were released without charges.
Charges under Cannabis Act, Criminal Code
On March 12, members of the RCMP Border Integrity unit arrested and charged Air Canada employee Atasha Weathley, 32, of Mississauga, with possession for the purpose of export, contrary to section 11(2) of the Cannabis Act, and conspiracy to commit an indictable offence, contrary to section 465(1)(c) of the Criminal Code.
The RCMP said Weathley was held for bail and later released with conditions. Her next court date is scheduled for 10 April 2026 at the Brampton (A. Grenville and William Davis) Courthouse.
“This investigation demonstrates the commitment of the RCMP and CBSA to protecting the integrity of Canada’s cross‑border air transportation system,” the RCMP said.
“Individuals who attempt to exploit their position of trust within the aviation industry to facilitate illegal activity will be held accountable,” the RCMP statement added.
Superintendent Dale Foote, Officer in Charge of Border Integrity, Federal Policing – Central Region, said the RCMP will “continue to work closely with law enforcement and industry partners to prevent, detect, and disrupt criminal activity at our borders.”
Air Canada has been in the middle of controversy in the past few days.
Recently, Air Canada announced that its chief executive Michael Rousseau will step down next year, closing a turbulent chapter for the carrier as it faces renewed scrutiny over whether its top leaders reflect Canada’s official languages and cultural expectations in moments of crisis.
The announcement came after a fatal runway collision involving an Air Canada Express jet at New York’s LaGuardia Airport. Following that incident, Rousseau was summoned to appear before a House of Commons committee after delivering a condolence message about the fatal crash almost entirely in English.
