Very heavy accusations. Dozens of employees at Melbourne Airport (Australia) are accused of working with an organized crime network after attempting to smuggle drugs into the state of Victoria and more widely into Australian territory, reports The Guardian.
The suspects were the subject of a Border Police investigation targeting criminals in airport supply chains. The investigation found as many as 70 Melbourne Airport employees breached security checks over the past 12 months, with some even suspected of working directly within the organized crime network.
Airline crew are involved not only in the consumption but also the distribution of illegal drugs in Australia, according to the Australian Border Force, the federal agency responsible for border control in the country.
Two crew members under narcotics
Several international airline crew members were also caught hiding fake cigarettes and tobacco in false-bottomed suitcases. They reportedly did this to avoid paying hefty customs duties. Two international crew members even took drugs while on duty, leading to at least one visa for Australia being cancelled.
Australian Border Force chief Kelly-Anne Parish said X-ray machines had been used to scan baggage storage areas on planes, in cargo holds and in crew areas.
“Ensuring a secure environment against criminal exploitation of the aviation supply chain for the Australian community and those working in the aviation industry is a top priority,” Kelly-Anne Parish said. The latter said the investigation was still ongoing and focused on several people in aviation with alleged links to organized crime around the world.
