Thai flight attendant arrested for heroin in Melbourne

A 26-year-old Thai airline employee has been charged with attempting to smuggle more than one kilogram of heroin into Australia, concealed within the lining of her luggage. The woman, identified by her employer as a flight attendant, was arrested after arriving at Melbourne Airport on a flight from Thailand on Thursday, June 25.

Australian Federal Police stated that border officers screened the woman's 12 tote bags upon her arrival, with an X-ray revealing anomalies. Further examination uncovered approximately one kilogram of white powder hidden in the bags' linings, which subsequent testing indicated was heroin. Authorities estimate the drug's street value at 500,000 Australian dollars (approximately $343,300).

The flight attendant faces one count of importing a marketable quantity of a border-controlled drug and one count of possession of the same. Each charge carries a maximum penalty of 25 years imprisonment. She was remanded in custody on Friday, June 26, and is scheduled to appear before the Melbourne Magistrates Court on September 14.

In a statement, Thai Airways confirmed that an employee had been detained in Melbourne and said the company stands ready to fully cooperate...