A group of Vietnam Airlines flight attendants, flying from France to Vietnam, was arrested on Thursday after 11.4 kilogrammes of drugs were found in their luggage. The flight attendants were arrested for alleged drug trafficking.
Vietnamese officials found 8.4 kilogrammes of grey tablets and three kilogrammes of white powdery substances concealed in tubes of toothpaste. According to Radio Free Asia, the substances were identified to be ecstasy, ketamine and cocaine.
When questioned by police officers, the flight attendants, although appeared to be shocked, claimed that they were paid 10 million Vietnamese dongs ($424) by a person in France to smuggle the substances in their luggage.
A spokesperson for Vietnam Airlines explained that the attendants were new to the company, had little experience in the industry and were exhausted from the long flight, which lead to their shock at the revelation of the substances they agreed to keep in their luggage.
Police officers in Ho Chi Minh City are undergoing an investigation on the matter. Vietnam Airlines told the local media that they suspended the aircrew and no further details were given.
Since the beginning of 2023, Tan Son Nhat International Airport has dealt with eight cases of drug trafficking and officials have confiscated around 15 kilogrammes of narcotics.
Vietnam is known for its jarring drug penalties, where trafficking of any narcotics over 100 grams could lead to life imprisonment or even death.
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