Airline employee arrested at Melbourne Airport for alleged drug importation charges

Australian Border Force officers reportedly identified anomalies during an X-ray examination of the woman’s 12 tote bags, and further examinations revealed a white powder concealed within the lining of the bags.

Presumptive testing allegedly returning a positive reading for heroin. More than 1kg of substance was allegedly found with an estimated street value of $500,000.

The woman was charged with importing a marketable quantity of a border controlled drug and possessing a marketable quantity of a border controlled drug. She was remanded in custody and is expected to reappear before Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 14 September this year.

AFP Acting Commander Simone Butcher said the AFP would continue to take a zero-tolerance approach to anyone who exploited their position of trust to facilitate criminal activity.

“The AFP remains unwavering in its efforts to target individuals who use their employment or community standing to support drug trafficking,” a/Commander Butcher said.

“We work closely with our partner agencies to protect the community from the scourge of illicit drugs.”

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ABF Commander Clint Sims said criminal syndicates continued to target trusted insiders, including airline crew, to attempt to smuggle illicit substances into Australia.

“Anyone attempting to import illicit drugs into Australia, regardless of rank or position, will be targeted and face the full force of the law,” Commander Sims said.

“ABF officers use intelligence-led targeting and a range of detection capabilities to identify those individuals who attempt to breach our border controls.

“The ABF remains alert to the threat of trusted insiders and will continue to identify and disrupt this activity to maintain the integrity of our border and protect the Australian community.”