RCMP Arrests Swissport Baggage Handlers Attempting to Smuggle $147,000 of Cannabis to France

*MISSISSAUGA, ON –* On July 4, 2025, two employees of Swissport Canada
Handling, a baggage handling company, were arrested following a drug
smuggling investigation that involved baggage tag switching. Baggage tag
switching is when someone purposely changes the labels on bags at an
airport. Each baggage tag tells airport machines where a bag should go and
who it belongs to. In this case, the baggage tag was switched so it looked
as though the piece of luggage with the cannabis in it belonged to an
unknowing traveler.

The investigation began in late May 2025 at Toronto Pearson International
Airport, when a French national arrived in Paris and was detained by
authorities on suspicion of importing Cannabis from Canada. After further
investigation, French authorities released the passenger without charges,
and the case was subsequently referred to the RCMP Toronto Airport
Detachment. The investigation revealed the following subjects allegedly
manipulated baggage tags without the passenger’s consent. This led to the
illicit transportation of approximately 21 kilograms of Cannabis to France,
with an estimated street value of $147,000.

As a result, RCMP Central Region Toronto Airport Detachment Border
Integrity Response Team arrested and charged the following individuals:

- Dugal Hearne (51) of Woodbridge, Ontario, a Swissport employee with
over 25 years, was charged with:
- Exporting Cannabis – Section 11(1), Cannabis Act
- Possession of Cannabis for the Purpose of Export – Section
11(2), Cannabis Act
- Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence – Section
465(1), Criminal Code of Canada
- Edward Wynter (56) of Brampton, Ontario, a Swissport employee with
over 21 years, was charged with:
- Exporting Cannabis – Section 11(1), Cannabis Act
- Possession of Cannabis for the Purpose of Export – Section
11(2), Cannabis Act
- Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence – Section
465(1), Criminal Code of Canada

Swissport Canada Handling was cooperative upon learning about this
investigation, and their support contributed to the timely apprehension of
the accused.

Both accused have been released on undertakings and are scheduled to appear
in court at the A. Grenville and William Davis Courthouse in Brampton on
August 6 and August 8, 2025, respectively.

The Border Integrity Response Team would like to recognize the contribution
of French authorities, la PAF, for quickly identifying the victim in this
case and referring the file to the RCMP in Toronto.

“The RCMP Toronto Airport Detachment members have been actively
investigating cases involving baggage tag switching in attempts to smuggle
illegal drugs and contraband out of Canada,” said Inspector John McMath,
Officer in Charge, RCMP Toronto Airport Detachment. “I cannot impress
enough upon the public the importance of staying vigilant during all
aspects of travel. The RCMP is committed to continuing our fight against
organized crime groups targeting innocent members of the public regardless
of their citizenship.”
Fast Facts

The RCMP shares responsibility for all ports of entry from inbound and
outbound criminal threats through criminal investigations and prosecutions
related to narcotic smuggling.

With a presence across Canada, the RCMP is uniquely positioned to protect
our border between ports of entry, but also conduct follow-up
investigations when necessary.

The RCMP and our policing partners across the world work closely in an
investigative capacity, to combat the impact that cross-border criminal
activity is having on our communities.

If you have any information related to smuggling, drug importation,
trafficking, or possession, or wish to report other criminality, you can
contact the Ontario RCMP at 1-800-387-0020, the confidential CBSA Border
Watch toll-free line at 1-888-502-9060 or anonymously through Crime
Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), at any time.