By Amarin TV and AP – published by Euronews
AN AUSTRALIAN court has denied bail to a Thai Airways International (THAI) flight attendant arrested on charges of smuggling 11.4 million baht worth of heroin at Melbourne Airport with the airline saying today (June 29) it is swiftly moving to investigate and dismiss her.
Mr. Chai Eamsiri, CEO of Thai Airways International Plc (THAI), said he received a report last Wednesday (June 24) from the Thai Airways station manager in Melbourne stating that a female Thai crew member was arrested by Australian authorities while on duty on flight TG 465.
She was detected by a sniffer dog and he has instructed Thai Airways to set up a disciplinary committee to investigate the matter. If the evidence is clear, she will be dismissed from her employment.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) said in a statement on its website that an X-ray and further examinations found white powder concealed in the linings of her 12 tote bags and the initial test reportedly returned a positive result for heroin.
The amount had a street value of about 500,000 Australian dollars (about 11.4 million baht), it said.
The woman was charged with importing and possessing the drug, which carries a maximum sentence of 25 years imprisonment, the police said, adding that she will appear in a Melbourne court in September.
“The AFP remains unwavering in its efforts to target individuals who use their employment or community standing to support drug trafficking,” said the agency’s Acting Commander Simone Butcher.
The Australian police did not identify the woman’s name or the airline she works for, but Thai Airways had earlier said in a statement that one of its employees was detained in Melbourne and that the airline has been cooperating with authorities.
CAPTIONS:
Top – Heroin found in one of the 12 tote bags. Photo – Amarin TV
Insert and Front Page – A tote bag with part of the heroin hidden in it. Photo – Australian Federal Police via AP and published by Euronews
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