Key facts
- A 26-year-old Thai airline employee was arrested in Melbourne, Australia.
- Over 1 kilogram of heroin was found concealed in the linings of 12 tote bags.
- The estimated street value of the heroin is A$500,000.
- The woman faces charges of importing and possessing a border-controlled drug.
- Thai Airways is cooperating with the authorities.
- The maximum penalty for the charges is 25 years imprisonment.
A 26-year-old Thai airline employee has been charged in Australia with importing more than a kilogram of heroin. The drugs were discovered by Australian Border Force officers concealed within the linings of 12 tote bags belonging to the flight attendant upon her arrival at Melbourne Airport on June 25. The heroin has an estimated street value of A$500,000 (approximately €302,500).
The woman faces one count each of importing and possessing a marketable quantity of a border-controlled drug, with each charge carrying a maximum penalty of 25 years imprisonment. She was remanded in custody on June 26 and is scheduled to appear before Melbourne Magistrates' Court on September 14.
Thai Airways confirmed that one of its employees was detained and stated the company has strict rules for employee conduct, standing ready to cooperate fully with authorities. Australian Federal Police Acting Commander Simone Butcher emphasized the AFP's commitment to targeting individuals who exploit their positions for drug trafficking, while Australian Border Force Commander Clint Sims noted that criminal syndicates continue to target trusted insiders like airline crew to smuggle illicit substances into Australia.