On 5th of April 2022 , the aircrew of the Mississauga based Pivot Airlines found the drugs on board their aircraft ( C-FWRR ) and alerted authorities at the Punta Cana International Airport in the Dominican Republic.
The Canada registered Bombardier CRJ100 aircraft was bound to Toronto from Dominican Republic on a chartered flight , when five crew members reported 200 packages of cocaine , before departure.
“The Pivot crew immediately reported it to local authorities in accordance with Transport Canada-approved policies and procedures, as well as local and international laws,” the airline said in a statement subsequently.
However , eleven people including those five crew members were detained by the Authorities in Dominican Republic , in connection to the drugs discovery in the described aircraft.
Un alijo de 200 paquetes de Cocaina fue decomisado del avion privado matrícula C-FWRR que partiría hacia Canadá.
— Carlos Morillo (@cmorillo89) April 6, 2022
Hay 11 personas que están siendo investigadas.
Ay esos aviones privados!!!! pic.twitter.com/bS4UB7VIaZ
Dominican Republic Authorities released statements saying ,
The National Directorate for Drug Control (DNCD) with the support of the Specialized Airport Security Corps, State intelligence agencies and under the coordination of the Public Ministry, seized 200 packages, presumably cocaine, inside an aircraft in the Punta Cana International Airport, La Altagracia province.
The crew, passengers and other investigated, as well as the aircraft, Mitsubishi CRJ-100ER, are under the control of the Public Ministry while the investigations continue to determine if there are other possible implicated.
Now, three groups representing tens of thousands of airline workers across Canada and the United States are urging the federal government to intervene in the ongoing detention of 11 people, including an Ontario crew, in the Dominican Republic.
Pivot Airlines is hurt by the incident , and until those detained are released, Pivot Airlines told CTV News Toronto that it discourages travelers from vacationing in the Dominican Republic.
Dominican Republic Communications Directorate, DNCD further added in their press release on 6th April ,
After an extensive search, the Dominican Republic’s National Drug Control Directorate (DNCD) said eight packages, each containing 25 small packets of cocaine, totaling 200 packages, were in the control compartments of the plane.
On a rescue effort for the detained aircrew in Dominican Republic , the letter written by three unions read ,
“Despite reporting the alleged contraband to authorities, the five crew members of Pivot were immediately detained in the Dominican Republic, where they were subjected to dangerous and inhumane treatment in Dominican detention centers.”
The letter was sent to Canada’s Parliamentary Secretary to Foreign Affairs on Tuesday ahead of a planned visit to the Dominican Republic. It was sent on behalf of Pivot Airlines, Unifor, the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) and the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA).
“Although we were recently able to secure bail for the crew, a condition of their release was that they must remain in the Dominican Republic until the matter is resolved,” the letter continues.
A concerned Pivot Airlines said the detained crew members faced threats inside and outside the prison . As a result , they tell travelers to refrain from visiting the Dominican Republic.
“We believe this incident should prompt all travelers to consider making alternate travel plans.”
Continuous airline statements,
“Our primary concern right now is our crew’s safety, security, ethical and humane treatment. We are making every effort to support them during this difficult time, and ensure their safe return to Canada.”
“We are doing everything we can to support our crew and their families during this difficult time. This includes continuing to work with the local legal advisors we have retained on their behalf, the three international unions representing our crew, the Canadian Embassy and local authorities to ensure their safety and get them home as soon as possible.”
