Thai air crew member arrested at Melbourne airport with heroin worth B11m

PUBLISHED : 29 Jun 2026 at 12:36

Australian police have arrested a female member of a Thai aircrew on an international flight at Melbourne airport after an x-ray by Australian Border Force (ABF) officers allegedly found one kilogramme of heroin concealed in her tote bags.

The 26-year-old woman was arrested at the airport on Thursday after arousing ABF interest during luggage examination, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) said on its website on Monday.

Further examination of her 12 tote bags found a white power hidden in the lining. Tests confirmed it to be heroin, and the amount one kilogramme.

Street value was estimated at A$500,000 (11.5 million baht).

AFP did not release her name or job position, or the name of the airline.

She faces two charges of importing and possessing the drug. Each offence carries a maximum jail term of 25 years.

The woman was remanded in custody on Friday and will appear before the Melbourne Magistrates Court again on Sept 14, the announcement said.

ABF Commander Clint Sims said airline crew are among the insiders trusted by syndicates to smuggle illicit drugs 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,” the commander said.