According to a statement issued to CTV News Toronto by Pivot Airlines, an airline that started from Toronto Pearson International Airport in 2021, five crew members discovered and reported smuggling found on the aircraft bound for Toronto while it was landing. at Punta Cana Airport on April 5.
The Dominican Republic National Directorate of Drug Control (DNCD) said eight packages, each containing 25 smaller packages of cocaine, for a total of 200 packs, were found in the aircraft’s cabin after an in-depth search.
THREE WERE ARRESTED AND SEIZED 810 PACKAGES PIPE COCAINE IN SPM @ArmadaRepDom @ProcuraduriaRD #DNCDCambia #TodosUnidos #Seizure # SanPedrodeMacorís pic.t
– National Directorate of Drug Control (@DNCDRD) April 11, 2022
Pivot confirmed that the entire crew, consisting of nine Canadians, one Indian and one Dominican, had been taken into custody following the discovery.
“The prosecution and the DNCD are holding several people under investigation, who are being questioned to determine their possible involvement,” a press release issued on April 6 said.
On Tuesday, Pivot said the Dominican court “decided to improve conditions for [their] crew and have described a procedure for their final release from detention “.
“We are grateful for the decision and are working diligently to secure their release,” the airline said.
When asked to comment, a Global Affairs Canada spokesman told CTV News Toronto that they were “aware” of the detention but that no further details could be released due to confidentiality criteria.
