Stranded and accused: Calgary photographer caught up in drug seizure tries to come home
A Calgary photographer is out on bail but still under house arrest after spending three weeks behind bars, after being pulled from a charter plane carrying 200 kilograms of cocaine.
"She's never been involved in anything like this in her life, she just wanted to take a vacation," says Bella Harrison about her cousin, Brittney Wojcik-Harrison, "Brittney isn't the type of person to show emotion easily and the fact that she's breaking right now shows how much she has been through. She's really not okay."
Harrison says her cousin was invited to join a group of friends who'd chartered a small plane to fly to the Dominican Republic at the end of March.
When the plane was about to return to Canada, however, crew members found duffel bags in some control compartments.
They alerted the authorities who eventually found 200 kilograms of cocaine hidden in the plane.
The five-person crew and all six passengers were arrested.
When the plane was about to return to Canada, however, crew members found duffel bags in some control compartments. They alerted the authorities who eventually found 200 kilograms of cocaine hidden in the plane.
"We really want to get all of them home, not just my niece but definitely all of them," says Karen Harrison, Brittney's aunt, "We are very worried about their welfare down there."
The family says the drugs were found in an area passengers don't have access to, they should be released - they wanted Canada's foreign affairs department to make that happen.
However, the government only tells CTV News it's aware of the situation and is monitoring it closely.
"She is frightened, "says Karen about her niece, who was able to call the family for the first time this week after being released on bail, "They are all scared about what's going on, numb from being arrested."
Pivot Airlines, which owns the charter, says it hired private security to guard staff while out on bail.
But it says prosecutors want to revoke the bail and put everyone back behind bars. The airline fears for their safety in jail since it was airline staff that alerted police to the drugs and it fears there could be reprisal in prison. It says while it's grateful for the Canadian government's efforts so far, it needs to do more to bring its citizens home.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Judge in Trump's hush money trial threatened to throw witness out of court for behavior on stand
Michael Cohen testified Monday that he stole tens of thousands of dollars from his ex-boss Donald Trump’s company, an admission defence lawyers hope to use to undermine Cohen’s credibility.
What is BORG drinking, and why is it a dangerous trend? An expert explains
If you've been to a party lately and haven't seen someone drinking a BORG, you're likely not partying with college students.
The world's best airline is paying staff a bonus of 8 months' salary
Singapore Airlines will reward its employees with a bonus worth nearly eight months of salary, a person familiar with the matter told CNN on Friday.
McGill says pro-Palestinian protest outside senior administrator's home 'crosses the line'
McGill University has denounced a pro-Palestinian protest held Sunday outside the home of one of its senior administrators.
Red Lobster probes 'endless shrimp' losses after bankruptcy filing
U.S.-based restaurant chain Red Lobster has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in a Florida court after securing $100 million in financing commitments from its existing lenders, the company said on Sunday.
Katy Perry sings goodbye to 'American Idol'
Katy Perry said her goodbyes on 'American Idol' after seven seasons. On Sunday night’s live 'idol' season finale, a medley of Perry's hit songs were performed, including 'Teenage Dream,' 'Dark Horse' and 'California Gurls.'
Microsoft's AI chatbot will 'recall' everything you do on a PC
Microsoft wants laptop users to get so comfortable with its artificial intelligence chatbot that it will remember everything you're doing on your computer and help figure out what you want to do next.
Judge cites error, will reopen sentencing hearing for man who attacked Nancy Pelosi's husband
A federal judge will reopen the sentencing hearing for the man who broke into Nancy Pelosi's San Francisco home and bludgeoned her husband with a hammer after the judge failed to allow him to speak during his court appearance last week.
Woman, 35, in critical condition after her truck collided with a Via Rail train near Montreal
A 35-year-old woman is in critical condition after the pick-up truck she was driving was struck by a Via Rail passenger train Monday morning in Quebec's Monteregie region.