(Central News Agency, Reporter Li Zongxian, Bangkok, July 6) The case of a Thai Airways flight attendant being accused of smuggling heroin in Australia has continued to escalate. Police stated today that the heroin was manufactured by a drug trafficking group in Myanmar, smuggled into Thailand via Laos, and then transshipped overseas. Additionally, the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand has introduced new regulations, completely prohibiting crew members from carrying items for others.
A Thai Airways flight attendant was apprehended by Australian police in late June in Australia for being found in possession of over 1 kilogram of heroin. The Australian Federal Police (AFP) stated that the estimated value of the heroin carried by the flight attendant was AUD 500,000 (approximately NT$11.07 million).
This incident has continued to spark discussions in Thailand. The Bangkok Post reported today that Somboon Thiankhao, Deputy Commissioner of the Narcotics Control Board of Thailand, stated that the heroin carried by the 26-year-old female flight attendant involved in the case was manufactured by a drug trafficking group in Myanmar and smuggled into northern Thailand, specifically Phayao and Chiang Khan, via northern Laos.
Somboon stated that Chiang Khan, due to its proximity to the Laotian border, has long been considered a drug transshipment point. Drug trafficking groups choose to bring drugs into Thailand via Laos rather than crossing the border directly from Myanmar to avoid strict Thai border checks.
He added that police recently seized millions of methamphetamine pills in Chiang Khan, further confirming the area as a drug transshipment route. After entering Thailand, these drugs are then transshipped to overseas markets.
According to reports, police stated that the man suspected of delivering the drug package, Uthai Khanapiwat, has confessed that on June 22, he delivered a tote bag package with an elephant pattern containing heroin to the flight attendant's residence in Bangkok. He testified that he had picked up this and other packages in Chiang Khan on June 20.
This case has also led the police to uncover more operational methods of drug trafficking groups.
Thai anti-drug authorities had previously revealed that related groups also intended to transport drugs into Taiwan using similar methods. Suriya Singhakamol, Secretary-General of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) of Thailand, stated that these drug trafficking groups intended to use similar methods to transport another five packages from Bangkok to Australia and Taiwan between June 30 and July 1.
Police stated that they are currently continuing to cooperate with Australian police to investigate this transnational drug trafficking network.
On the other hand, the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand announced that airlines must establish baggage management systems for crew members, including clearly defining the types, sizes, and weights of items that can be carried, and explicitly prohibiting crew members from carrying any items for third parties, unless they are official business items assigned by the airline.
In addition, airlines must also establish risk management mechanisms, implement random baggage checks for crew members, strengthen drug prevention education and training, set up whistleblower reporting channels, and establish disciplinary measures for violations.
Manat Chavanaprayoon, Director-General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand, stated that if airlines fail to implement relevant measures in accordance with regulations, the Civil Aviation Authority will take administrative penalties according to law, including suspending or revoking relevant licenses or certificates. (Editor: Wei Shu) 1150706
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- Source: CNA (Central News Agency)
- Category: 犯罪