Thai Airways International has said it is fully cooperating with authorities after one of its cabin crew members was charged with importing more than a kilogram (2.2 pounds) of heroin into Australia concealed inside her luggage.
The 26-year-old Thai national, who was working aboard flight TG465 from Bangkok to Melbourne, was stopped after arriving in Australia on 25 June. Australian Border Force (ABF) officers allegedly detected irregularities while X-raying her 12 tote bags, before discovering a white powder hidden within the lining of the bags. Presumptive testing allegedly returned a positive result for heroin.
The drugs have an estimated street value of A$500,000 (£378,000), according to the Australian Federal Police (AFP).
The woman was arrested after the matter was referred to the AFP and has been charged with importing and possessing a marketable quantity of a border-controlled drug. Each offence carries a maximum penalty of 25 years’ imprisonment under Australian law.
She was remanded in custody on 26 June and is due to appear before Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 14 September.
According to flight tracking data, flight TG465 departed Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport at 7.40pm on 24 June and landed in Melbourne at 7.04am local time the following day.
In a statement, Thai Airways confirmed the woman was a member of its cabin crew and said it was working closely with authorities in both Thailand and Australia while the case proceeds.
The company told Nation Thailand that it has received a report on the incident and has coordinated closely with relevant agencies in both Thailand and Australia to ascertain the facts and cooperate with officials in accordance with legal procedures.
The airline said it maintains strict rules prohibiting employees, including pilots and cabin crew, from possessing, importing or transporting narcotics or any other illegal items. It added that staff are reminded before every flight to comply with company policies and the laws of the countries they serve.
If any wrongdoing is committed, the company will take decisive action, the airline said. The airline said it has launched a disciplinary investigation, according to the Nation.
Thai Airways added that, based on the information available so far, the incident appeared to involve an individual employee rather than the airline itself. It said it was ensuring the employee received her legal rights while continuing to cooperate fully with investigators.
AFP Acting Commander Simone Butcher said investigators remained focused on preventing people from abusing positions of trust to facilitate drug trafficking.
“The AFP remains unwavering in its efforts to target individuals who use their employment or community standing to support drug trafficking,” Ms Butcher said.
“We work closely with our partner agencies to protect the community from the scourge of illicit drugs.”
ABF Commander Clint Sims said organised crime groups continued to target trusted insiders, including airline staff, to smuggle illicit drugs across Australia’s borders.
“Anyone attempting to import illicit drugs into Australia, regardless of rank or position, will be targeted and face the full force of the law,” Mr Sims said.
“ABF officers use intelligence-led targeting and a range of detection capabilities to identify those individuals who attempt to breach our border controls.
“The ABF remains alert to the threat of trusted insiders and will continue to identify and disrupt this activity to maintain the integrity of our border and protect the Australian community.”
