TULLAMARINE, VIC. — The AFP has charged an airline employee for allegedly importing more than 1kg of heroin into Melbourne last week.
The Thai national, 26, was performing work duties on board an international flight when she arrived at Melbourne Airport on June 25, 2026, and had her baggage screened by Australian Border Force (ABF) officers.
ABF officers identified anomalies during an X-ray examination of the woman’s 12 tote bags.
Further examinations revealed a white powder concealed within the lining of the bags, with presumptive testing allegedly returning a positive reading for heroin.
The heroin had an estimated street value of $500,000.
ABF officers reported the matter to AFP, who seized the tote bags and arrested the woman. She was later charged with:
- One count of importing a marketable quantity of a border-controlled drug, contrary to section 307.2(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth). This offence carries a maximum penalty of 25 years’ imprisonment; and
- One count of possessing a marketable quantity of a border-controlled drug, contrary to section 307.6(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth). This offence carries a maximum penalty of 25 years’ imprisonment.
The woman was remanded in custody on June 26, 2026, and is expected to reappear before Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on September 14, 2026.
AFP Acting Commander Simone Butcher said the AFP would continue to take a zero-tolerance approach to anyone who exploited their position of trust to facilitate criminal activity.
“The AFP remains unwavering in its efforts to target individuals who use their employment or community standing to support drug trafficking,” a/Commander Butcher said.
“We work closely with our partner agencies to protect the community from the scourge of illicit drugs.”
ABF Commander Clint Sims said criminal syndicates continued to target trusted insiders, including airline crew, to attempt to smuggle illicit substances 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,” Commander Sims said.
“ABF officers use intelligence-led targeting and a range of detection capabilities to identify those individuals who attempt to breach our border controls.
“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.”
