‘The world isn’t what it was before’: Security expert warns Canadians after alleged tag-switching luggage scheme at Toronto airport

After a media investigation exposed an alleged drug smuggling scheme framing innocent travellers flying from Canada, one security expert is sharing tips for luggage safety. 

An investigative series by CTV News’ investigative unit W5 published on Tuesday revealed that at least 17 passengers flying from Canada were arrested and jailed abroad over the past year, after their baggage tags were allegedly switched as part of a new drug-smuggling scheme involving airport staff. 

Although recently uncovered, Mitesh Shah, CEO of professional security company Empire Protection, says the scheme is more common than travellers may think. 

“It’s been going on for a while, people are just catching on to it now,” Shah told Now Toronto.

According to Shah, airport workers allegedly bring their own bags into the airports, containing illegal drugs, and switch up these bags’ tags with those of innocent travellers. Shah claims when the luggage arrives at its destination, someone from the criminal network might receive them and attempt to take them out of the airport. However, if the bags end up being intercepted by authorities, the blame falls on the traveller whose name is on the tag, he said. 

“It’s disbelieving, because if you’re taking a trip to the Dominican Republic with your family, you would never imagine that something like this would happen to you,” he said. 

What Pearson Airport says about the allegations

According to W5’s investigation, the RCMP arrested six Toronto Pearson International Airport workers in connection with the alleged bag switching schemes over the last year. 

The airport did not confirm to Now Toronto whether the allegations are true, but said it is aware of the issues raised in the investigation.

It also emphasized that passenger safety remains a “top concern,” and said its airport authority supports security efforts through systems, access controls, and an internal security function that reviews procedures regularly. 

“Security is a shared responsibility with the federal government, aviation agencies, police and security services and individual employers whose mandates include passenger and cargo screening, the interception of prohibited goods, on-site policing, criminal investigations, background checks, security clearances, worker training and monitoring,” Pearson said in an email shared with Now Toronto. 

Now Toronto also reached out to RCMP for comment, but did not receive a response before publishing.

How Canadians can protect their luggage

In light of the investigation Shah shared some tips for Canadian travellers which can help them avoid the scheme, or at least strengthen their case if they are wrongfully accused. 

Firstly, the security expert recommends Canadians become aware of laws and enforcement processes in the country they wish to visit before travelling. 

He explained that while in Canada, suspects are treated as innocent until proven guilty as per the legal system, that is not the case in a lot of other countries, in which it might be more difficult for travellers to prove their innocence in these cases. 

In addition, some countries include severe penalties for those caught smuggling drugs, including the death penalty.

Being aware of the laws might be useful to alert travellers on when extra precautions might be needed. 

Shah also recommends that travellers avoid “common luggage” and opt for options that can be easily distinguishable and identifiable.

“When I travel [with] my family…we typically don’t buy the Amazon or the Walmart or the Target bags. We’ll try to buy something unique and add a unique identifier onto the bag, whether it’s a ribbon or something that just has something that represents us, something that’s hard to replicate,” he said. 

The simple travel habits that could help prove your innocence

In addition, he says it might be a good idea to take pictures of the bags while they are still open and after the tags are on at the airport. This step might help travellers identify if their items have been moved or if something was added to their bags, as well as prove which luggage the tag was originally on. 

“I’ll keep a hold of that baggage receipt, because that baggage receipt is so important when authorities are investigating,” he added. 

“You can probably get you out of some sticky situations if you have photos of your bag, you have that baggage receipt, and then maybe just some unique identifiers.” 

After arriving at their destination, Shah recommends travellers open their luggage before leaving the airport to verify whether there’s anything unusual inside it, in which case they should then contact authorities.

According to Shah, one of the major concerns about these schemes is that airport staff often have more access and control over passengers’ luggage than the passengers themselves, making these schemes simpler than travellers may think. 

‘Stay vigilant’: Security expert urges travellers to remain cautious, use tracking devices

In this case, tracking devices such as Apple AirTags can serve as an extra layer of security for passengers, allowing them to know where their luggage is at all times. 

Another plus is that these devices also allow travellers to locate their luggage if it is lost. 

“Not to say that AirTags can completely save you, but having that paired with all of the other things, it will significantly enhance your ability to prove that this is your bag and this one isn’t,” he said. 

“The world isn’t what it was before, where you could just travel with your head down and kind of not be suspicious of things like this… It’s really important just to stay vigilant, be aware, pack your bag, and make it fun.”