Flight attendants arrested in Vietnam for drug smuggling

HANOI, March 18 (dpa): Police in Vietnam have arrested four Vietnam Airlines flight attendants for drug trafficking from France to Vietnam, the airline said on Friday.

"Vietnam Airlines has received information about the detention of 4 flight attendants on flight number VN10 due to suspicion of carrying banned substances in the luggage," Vietnam Airlines spokesman Dang Tuan said in a statement to dpa.

"Currently, they have been suspended from duty to help with the investigation."

Customs officials at Tan Son Nhat Airport in Ho Chi Minh City searched their luggage on Thursday and found more than 10 kilograms of ecstasy and narcotics after arriving on a flight from France to Vietnam, Tuoi Tre newspaper reported, quoting the customs agency.

Vietnam has a reputation for extremely strict punishments for drug traffickers.

Under Vietnamese law, the production or sale of 100 grams of heroin or cocaine, or 300 grams of methamphetamine, can carry the death penalty.

Vietnam Airlines has a network of routes to 49 airports across 26 countries and territories, including routes to Germany.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) has ordered agencies working at the country’s airports to strengthen inspection and supervision to detect smugglers illegally transporting goods by air. - dpa