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Airline Crew Report Suspected Bombs That Turn Out To Be Cocaine And Get Jailed For Drug Smuggling

Home> News

Published 11:20 14 Apr 2022 GMT+1

Airline Crew Report Suspected Bombs That Turn Out To Be Cocaine And Get Jailed For Drug Smuggling

Police ended up discovering 200kg of cocaine worth around $25 million (£19m)

Cameron Frew

Cameron Frew

A Canadian airport crew reported suspected bombs on their plane. Soon after, they were arrested for drug smuggling.

According to Pivot Airlines, its five-person crew on a private jet where thrown in jail in the Dominican Republic after they reported a stash of cocaine hidden in the plane, fearing it was a bomb.

The crew members, who haven't been named, reportedly found the drugs on the aircraft as it prepared to take off from Punta Cana airport on 5 April.

A maintenance engineer came across the suspicious package when he tried to access the avionics bay under the plane's fuselage. At the time, he wasn't sure whether it was lost luggage, a bomb or something else entirely.

They quickly reported it to the local police, as well as the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the National Post reports.

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The cocaine found on the plane.
Twitter/@DNCDRD

At this point, police boarded the plane and found seven other bags, eventually amassing 200kg of cocaine worth around $25 million (£19.2m).

While it's likely the crew avoided an air disaster by reporting the stash - due to the area of the plane needing good airflow to prevent overheating - they've since been placed in detention centres on suspicion of smuggling drugs.

In a statement, the airline said: "They do not speak the language, have been identified as reporting the contraband to authorities and fear for their safety.

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"We are deeply concerned for the safety, security and ethical and humane treatment of our crew.

“It is unacceptable that a Canadian aircrew could remain detained for the duration of a potential 12-month investigation for a suspected crime that they reported.”

In a news release regarding the haul, the Dominican Republic’s National Directorate for Drug Control (DNCD) said the drugs were found in the plane's 'control compartments'.

The bags were stashed in the 'avionics bay'.
@DNCDRD/Twitter

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It added: "An extensive investigation process has been initiated around this case. The Public Ministry, assisted by DNCD agents, are working hard to clearly establish who is directly linked to the seizure of the substance.

"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."

There have been some positive moves, with a Dominican court ruling to 'improve the conditions' for the detained crew and even outlining a plan for their release.

Pivot said: "We are grateful for the decision and are working diligently to secure their release."

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If you want friendly, confidential advice about drugs, you can talk to FRANK. You can call 0300 123 6600, text 82111 or contact through their website 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, or livechat from 2pm-6pm any day of the week 

Featured Image Credit: @DNCDRD/Twitter

Topics: World News, Drugs

Cameron Frew
Cameron Frew

Entertainment Editor at UNILAD. 2001: A Space Odyssey is the best film ever made, and Warrior is better than Rocky. That's all you need to know.

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@frewfilm

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