A new airline which plans to offer flights out of Waterloo Region this summer has been caught up in an international cocaine bust in the Dominican Republic. Drug control agents there discovered 210 kilograms of cocaine hidden inside the Pivot Airlines plane heading to Toronto.

The twin-engine jet was about to depart Punta Cana International Airport on a private flight to Toronto, when a search found eight black bags filled with bricks of cocaine. According to a news release from the National Directorate for Drug Control in the DR, the bags were hidden inside aircraft compartments.

Eleven people, including nine Canadians, have been detained for questioning and the plane was seized.

Pivot Airlines said last fall it would begin scheduled flights this past winter from Waterloo regional airport to Ottawa and to Montreal. It later delayed the launch until early summer, citing current low demand for business travel.

In a statement released Saturday, the Mississauga-based airline said members of Pivot aircrew first discovered the cocaine on board last Tuesday.

“In keeping with our policies and procedures, as well as local and international laws and regulations, the crew immediately reported the discovery to local authorities,” the airline said.

Dominican authorities say tests have confirmed the seized drugs are cocaine.

The airline said it has reported the incident to the RCMP, is co-operating with the Dominican investigation, and has hired lawyers for employees who are detained abroad.

“Our primary concern is our crew’s safety, security, ethical and humane treatment as we seek to ensure their safe return to Canada,” the airline said.

“Together with the three national unions representing the crew members, we continue to co-operate with all relevant authorities as they investigate this matter. We have engaged local embassies and retained reputable and experienced local legal representation in support of our crew members.

“Our focus is on supporting our crew during this difficult time and we are committed to returning them home safely.”.

The jet was was previously owned by Air Georgian before that airline went bankrupt and sold its assets to Pivot Airlines.

In a Spanish-language news conference recorded by a Dominican news agency, an official asserts the cocaine was headed to Toronto before authorities intercepted it.

The RCMP and the Canadian Border Services Agency refused to confirm if they are also investigating.