Vietnam Airlines staff suspected of drug trafficking released
Ho Chi Minh City Police's investigative agency on Wednesday decided to release four Vietnam Airlines flight attendants as there is "not enough basis" to accuse them of drug trafficking.
The national flag carrier's four flight attendants were Nguyen Thanh Thuy, Dang Phuong Van, Tran Thi Thu Ngan, and Vo Tu Quynh.
Customs officials at Tan Son Nhat Airport in HCMC detected drug hidden inside toothpaste tubes and mouthwash bottles in Vietnam Airlines staff's luggages on March 16, 2023. Photo courtesy of the airport.
The agency last Thursday detained them for transporting 11 kilograms of drugs from France to Vietnam.
Customs officials at Tan Son Nhat Airport in HCMC detected drug hidden inside toothpaste tubes and mouthwash bottles in their luggages on March 16, 2023.
The four women appeared surprised when Tan Son Nhat Airport customs officials told them about the drug in their luggage. They cried, telling the investigative agency that they had helped an unnamed individual in France transport the goods to Vietnam in return for over VND10 million ($420).
They claimed they had not checked the packages thoroughly as they had been too exhausted after a long trip. The packages passed security checks in France.
Tan Son Nhat International Airport's customs authorities, HCMC Customs Department's drug control team, HCMC Police's drug crime investigation police (PC04), and the Ministry of Public Security's drug crime investigation police (C04) are further investigating the case.
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