INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Image copyrightAUSTRALIAN FEDERAL POLICEImage caption
Police say the drugs were smuggled by a flight attendant
Australian police say they have busted a "highly organised" drug ring which allegedly used a flight attendant to smuggle drugs into
The Melbourne-based Vietnamese syndicate had been operating for at least five years, Australian Federal Police said.Eight people, including
one Malindo Air employee, were arrested in Melbourne last week
Malindo Air, a small airline based in Malaysia, has not commented publicly.Police said the syndicate had illegally imported at least A$20m
charged with drug trafficking offences
Police did not state their individual nationalities."The cabin crew were used as the drug couriers," said AFP Assistant Commissioner Tess
Walsh."These couriers were entering Australia predominantly through Melbourne and Sydney." Police later clarified that only one flight
attendant had been charged.Image copyrightGetty ImagesImage caption
Malindo Air is a commercial airline based in
Malaysia
It is alleged that he carried the drugs on his body and in his luggage."Airline staff are not above the law
They are subject to intervention at the border like everyone else," said a representative from the Australian Border ForceThe eight people
arrested will face a court in Melbourne in May
Malindo Air has been contacted for comment.
