Australian Border Force (ABF) officers apprehended a 26-year-old Thai Airways flight attendant at Melbourne Airport last Thursday, June 25, after allegedly discovering more than a kilogram of heroin concealed within 12 tote bags she was carrying. The estimated value of the heroin is $500,000.
According to Pattaya Mail, a Thai news agency, the flight attendant was recruited for the alleged smuggling operation via social media. An online user, using the pseudonym 'Rose,' reportedly advertised for travelers heading to Australia with approximately 20 kilograms of spare luggage space. The account, which has since been deleted, allegedly told the flight attendant she would be transporting local products. The offered compensation for this task was 8,800 Thai baht, equivalent to about AU$380.
The 26-year-old woman has been charged with one count of importing a marketable quantity of a border-controlled drug and one count of possessing a marketable quantity of a border-controlled drug. She is scheduled to appear in Melbourne Magistrates' Court on September 14.
Thai Airways issued a statement on Tuesday, asserting that the company maintains strict rules, regulations, and oversight measures for all employees, prohibiting them from possessing, importing, transporting, or engaging with any narcotics or illegal substances. The airline stated it emphasizes to all employees the requirement to adhere strictly to company regulations and the laws of the country of service before commencing duty on every flight. The company also confirmed it is cooperating with Australian authorities in the investigation.
Both Australian and Thai authorities are continuing their investigations into the alleged social media recruitment and the potential involvement of a drug syndicate.