Trolley_Surfer
January 23, 2002, 06:40 PM
Stowaway to Pearson raises fears over security
Baggage handler hid in cargo hold of jet from Cuba
Bob Mitchell
Peel/Halton Bureau Chief
A baggage handler from Cuba, who flew to Canada in the belly of an Air Transat jet, is being detained by Canadian immigration officials as they determine whether he poses a security risk or is a legitimate refugee claimant.
The breach of airport security is in spite of the countless dollars spent by governments, airports and air carriers around the world to beef up security since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in the United States.
"We are concerned ... that should not have happened," said Michel Lemay, a spokesperson for Air Transat.
Ramp workers employed by the Montreal-based charter airline discovered the 33-year-old man just before 3 a.m. yesterday as he wandered on the tarmac at Pearson International Airport, wearing only a T-shirt and overalls.
He appeared bewildered and lost when confronted by airport workers, said Inspector John Byrne of Peel Region police's airport detachment.
"Apparently, the first word out of his mouth was `refugee,'" Byrne said. "He spoke only Spanish. He was by himself and as far as I know he didn't have any bags with him and he wasn't dressed for winter."
Police said the man hitched a ride to Canada inside a pressurized cargo area of the L1011 that arrived from Varadero, Cuba, at 1:50 a.m.
"There are apparently five different cargo holds in the plane and I've been told he knew exactly which one to stay in for his flight," Byrne said. "He picked the right one to get into. It was cold but he could breathe because it was pressurized."
Medical staff examined the man and found him to be suffering from nothing more than a cold, airport sources said.
Police say no criminal charges are likely to be laid against the man because he intends to seek refugee status.
Lemay said the man wasn't employed by Air Transat. "We don't have our own baggage handlers in Cuba. It's my understanding that all luggage is handled by a company called Ecasa. I don't know if he works for them or not.
"(Ecasa) is supposed to have proper security measures," said Lemay.
Ecasa officials contacted in Cuba refused to comment to The Star.
Lemay said the plane was searched by drug and bomb-sniffing dogs.
Meanwhile, Cuban authorities have launched an investigation to find out how the man could have snuck on to the plane undetected, he said.
Air Transat officials conducted a security check of the aircraft to determine whether anything else was on board the aircraft.
Canadian immigration officials refused to provide any details about the individual other than confirm a stowaway was found aboard an aircraft.
Airport sources confirmed the man has asked for refugee status. However, it's not known where the man is being kept. If he's deemed a national security risk, he likely would be detained at the Toronto West Detention Centre.
Refugee claimants are held at the Celebrity Inn near the airport until either their case is heard by the immigration board or it's believed they can be released and will return for their hearing. Those refused entry are held until their deportation.
Speaking in general terms, Cantlon said all individuals are entitled to claim refugee status and to have a claim heard. If a person is found eligible for refugee status the case is referred to a refugee board hearing.
"If there is a security concern, the individual is turned over to CSIS," Cantlon said.
Stowaways have been a rarity at Pearson.
The last publicly announced case happened on Feb. 9, 1990, when two men from Trinidad were discovered in the wheel well of a BWIA International Lockheed L1011.
The men suffered from hypothermia and were both later deported.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
With files from Canadian Press
images/icons/shocked.gif images/icons/shocked.gif images/icons/shocked.gif images/icons/shocked.gif images/icons/shocked.gif
Baggage handler hid in cargo hold of jet from Cuba
Bob Mitchell
Peel/Halton Bureau Chief
A baggage handler from Cuba, who flew to Canada in the belly of an Air Transat jet, is being detained by Canadian immigration officials as they determine whether he poses a security risk or is a legitimate refugee claimant.
The breach of airport security is in spite of the countless dollars spent by governments, airports and air carriers around the world to beef up security since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in the United States.
"We are concerned ... that should not have happened," said Michel Lemay, a spokesperson for Air Transat.
Ramp workers employed by the Montreal-based charter airline discovered the 33-year-old man just before 3 a.m. yesterday as he wandered on the tarmac at Pearson International Airport, wearing only a T-shirt and overalls.
He appeared bewildered and lost when confronted by airport workers, said Inspector John Byrne of Peel Region police's airport detachment.
"Apparently, the first word out of his mouth was `refugee,'" Byrne said. "He spoke only Spanish. He was by himself and as far as I know he didn't have any bags with him and he wasn't dressed for winter."
Police said the man hitched a ride to Canada inside a pressurized cargo area of the L1011 that arrived from Varadero, Cuba, at 1:50 a.m.
"There are apparently five different cargo holds in the plane and I've been told he knew exactly which one to stay in for his flight," Byrne said. "He picked the right one to get into. It was cold but he could breathe because it was pressurized."
Medical staff examined the man and found him to be suffering from nothing more than a cold, airport sources said.
Police say no criminal charges are likely to be laid against the man because he intends to seek refugee status.
Lemay said the man wasn't employed by Air Transat. "We don't have our own baggage handlers in Cuba. It's my understanding that all luggage is handled by a company called Ecasa. I don't know if he works for them or not.
"(Ecasa) is supposed to have proper security measures," said Lemay.
Ecasa officials contacted in Cuba refused to comment to The Star.
Lemay said the plane was searched by drug and bomb-sniffing dogs.
Meanwhile, Cuban authorities have launched an investigation to find out how the man could have snuck on to the plane undetected, he said.
Air Transat officials conducted a security check of the aircraft to determine whether anything else was on board the aircraft.
Canadian immigration officials refused to provide any details about the individual other than confirm a stowaway was found aboard an aircraft.
Airport sources confirmed the man has asked for refugee status. However, it's not known where the man is being kept. If he's deemed a national security risk, he likely would be detained at the Toronto West Detention Centre.
Refugee claimants are held at the Celebrity Inn near the airport until either their case is heard by the immigration board or it's believed they can be released and will return for their hearing. Those refused entry are held until their deportation.
Speaking in general terms, Cantlon said all individuals are entitled to claim refugee status and to have a claim heard. If a person is found eligible for refugee status the case is referred to a refugee board hearing.
"If there is a security concern, the individual is turned over to CSIS," Cantlon said.
Stowaways have been a rarity at Pearson.
The last publicly announced case happened on Feb. 9, 1990, when two men from Trinidad were discovered in the wheel well of a BWIA International Lockheed L1011.
The men suffered from hypothermia and were both later deported.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
With files from Canadian Press
images/icons/shocked.gif images/icons/shocked.gif images/icons/shocked.gif images/icons/shocked.gif images/icons/shocked.gif