Meena Kondo: Thai Airways flight attendant accused of heroin import at Melbourne Airport
The Australian Federal Police alleges ‘anomalies’ were detected when her luggage was X-rayed by border force officers after she arrived on a flight.
A flight attendant accused of importing heroin aboard an international flight is discussing a possible “resolution” of the case, a court has been told.
Thai Airways flight attendant Meena Kondo, 26, was charged with drug offences after police allegedly found heroin, with a “street value” of $500,000, in her luggage.
Ms Kondo has remained in custody since her arrest at Melbourne Airport on June 25.
Sign up to The Nightly's newsletters.
Get the first look at the digital newspaper, curated daily stories and breaking headlines delivered to your inbox.
By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.The Australian Federal Police alleges “anomalies” were detected when her luggage was X-rayed by border force officers after she arrived on a flight.
Police allegedly found more than a kilogram of heroin stitched inside the lining of a dozen tote bags.
Images released by the Australian Federal Police after Ms Kondo was charged show a white powder inside a tote bag, with an elephant and “Thailand” stitched onto the bag.
She appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Monday morning as both prosecutors and her defence lawyers asked magistrate Kieran Gilligan for an adjournment.
The court was told the parties had “commenced resolution discussions” and were seeking “time to enable that to take place”.
Mr Gilligan remarked the move was “encouraging” as he remanded Ms Kondo in custody to return to court on October 12.
Ms Kondo is charged with importing a marketable quantity of illicit drugs and possessing a marketable quantity of illicit drugs — both offences carry a maximum penalty of 25 years imprisonment if found guilty.
At the time of her arrest, Australian Border Force (ABF) Commander Clint Sims said, speaking generally, the ABF was aware criminal syndicates had targeted flight crews in their attempts to smuggle drugs into the country.
“Anyone attempting to import illicit drugs into Australia, regardless of rank or position, will be targeted and face the full force of the law,” he said.
“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.”
Originally published as Meena Kondo: Thai Airways flight attendant accused of heroin import at Melbourne Airport
