THE recipient of over 1 kilogramme of heroin hidden in 12 tote bags found in the baggage of a Thai flight attendant at Melbourne Airport is a Thai woman who has lived in Australia for over 10 years, TV Channel 7 said this evening (July 6).
Ms. Areephak Ngernbumroong, deputy secretary-general and spokesperson of the Office of Narcotics Control Board (ONCB), said the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has been assigned to handle this case because the drug network appears to be a transnational organised criminal gang.
This is clear from a Laotian couple being apprehended for smuggling drugs to Thailand via both postal and hand-to-hand delivery with their modus operandi indicating they have done this more than twice and this suggesting a large-scale operation.
Moreover, there may also be scammers in this network.
The arrested flight attendant, Ms. Meena, 26, has revealed that the smuggled heroin was to be handed over to a Thai woman named “Dear”, who has lived in Australia for over 10 years and it is suspected she has frequently committed similar offences. Australian Federal Police (AFP) are continuing their investigation to determine who she passes the drugs to in Australia and expect to make arrests soon.
Regarding whether the flight attendant was complicit in the drug trafficking, this remains unclear as many issues still need to be investigated, even after questioning the man who delivered the package with the 12 tote bags at her condominium and her boyfriend. Ultimately, if it can be proven that the flight attendant was not involved in the drug smuggling operation, ONCB and related agencies will forward the information to the Customs Department, which will then share it with the Australian embassy for legal proceedings.
CAPTION:
Top and Front Page – ONCB Deputy Secretary-General and spokesperson Ms. Areephak Ngernbumroong. Both photos – Amarin TV
Earlier reports:
Thai flight Attendant denied bail for heroin smuggling in Australia and faces dismissal
More suspects in flight attendant heroin trafficking case identified
Hoodie suspect who delivered heroin to flight attendant nabbed
Thai police hunting for ecommerce operator in flight attendant’s heroin arrest in Australia
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