This Flight Attendant Ran A Major Drug Ring While on the Job

A member of Malindo Air’s cabin crew was among eight people arrested by Australian authorities as part of a major drug bust, reports the BBC. The syndicate is said to have been in operation for at least five years and is responsible for smuggling millions of dollars’ worth of drugs into the country.

An employee of Malaysia’s Malindo Air was among eight people arrested last week by Australian authorities as part of a major drug bust, reports the BBC. The drug ring, which was based out of the city of Melbourne, is said to be part of a Vietnamese syndicate and it is alleged that it has been in operation for at least five years.

Australian Federal Police (AFP) have said that this drug ring was responsible for importing a haul of drugs – which included substances such as methamphetamine and heroin – worth A$20m ($14.4m) into the country from Malaysia.

While Tess Walsh, AFP’s assistant commissioner, initially indicated that multiple members of Malindo Air cabin crew were involved in the syndicate’s drug smuggling activities, the news outlet reports that only a single member of cabin crew has been implicated.

In her comments, however, Walsh also indicated that members of the syndicate were entering Australia from Malaysia via Sydney and Melbourne.

The eight suspects are comprised of four women as well as four men. Their ages range from 26 to 48 and their individual nationalities are not yet known. The suspects are due to appear in court in May.

It is believed that the single member of cabin crew charged with drug offences was responsible for carrying drugs both on their person as well as within their baggage. Malindo Air has not offered an official comment on the arrest of their employee.

A spokesperson for Australia’s Border Force commented on the incident, saying, “Airline staff are not above the law. They are subject to intervention at the border like everyone else.”