Airline cabin crew member arrested in Australian drug bust
A police spokesman confirmed media reports that the suspect worked for Malaysia's Malindo Air, a subsidiary of Indonesia's Lion Air. Malindo Air did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The 38-year-old airline crew member was part of a group that brought drugs from Malaysia on aircraft for sale in Australian cities, police and customs officials said in a statement.
The gang, which police believe was run by a Vietnamese crime syndicate, was based in the city of Melbourne, Tess Walsh, Victoria State police crime command assistant commissioner, told reporters.
Police seized some 14 kg of drugs when the suspects were rounded up but the gang was believed to have been smuggling drugs for a long time.
"Intelligence would tell us that this crew has been operating for some years, I would say five plus," Walsh said.
Australia is a lucrative market for suppliers of drugs from Southeast Asia. It has one of the world's highest per-capita rates of methamphetamine use, government statistics show.
Police said they had made the eight arrests over the past 10 days, apprehending four women and four men aged between 26 and 55 in and around Melbourne.
They faced drug trafficking charges and appeared in court on Wednesday. No pleas were entered and they will next appear on May 15.
Police said they seized 6 kg of heroin, 8 kg of methamphetamines, 500 grams of cocaine, along with a "significant quantity" of cash and a Porsche Macan SUV and Mini Cooper car. (Reporting by Tom Westbrook Editing by Robert Birsel)
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
ALSO READ
Level of Ural River in Russia's Orenburg tops 11 metres, say local authorities
Vessel seized by 'regional authorities' 50 nm northeast of UAE's Fujairah, UKMTO says
India in touch with Iranian authorities to ensure security, welfare and early release of Indian nationals onboard seized ship: Sources.
Authorities say 4 people are dead after a train collided with a pickup in rural Idaho
Israel aviation authorities will close Israeli airspace to all flights ahead of impending Iranian drone strike, reports AP.