South African Airways Stewardess Charged for Smuggling Cocaine
A flight attendant for South African Airways has been charged with trying to smuggle cocaine into the UK. This comes after the crew member was arrested at Heathrow Airport, according to immigration officials on Monday.
Elphia Dlamini, a 42-year-old, was detained at the British airport after routine checks for crew on the flight revealed about 3 kilos of the drug. It is estimated that the drugs are worth about £120,000 on the street. She has been charged with attempting to import a Class A drug and was due to appear in court on Monday, where she was remanded and told to return to court on July 6.
The Heathrow Airport director for the UK Border Agency, Philip Astle, said that their officers are determined to halt illegal drugs making it onto their streets. Since the arrest of Dlamini, South African Airways has tightened their security. They say they are consulting Interpol, police and security staff to deter workers from attempting to smuggle illegal substances.
It seems to be popular among South African Airways crew members to attempt to smuggle drugs. Just last year, a total of 30 workers were arrested at Heathrow Airport, and later released on bail after their luggage was found to contain drugs. There were two separate incidents - the first in January, when 4 kilos was found, and the second in February, when 5 kilos was found.
It’s a wonder why South African Airways flight attendants would still try to smuggle drugs after seeing so many of their co-workers being arrested for attempting the same thing. Especially in Britain and South Africa, as crew have to go through the same security checks as passengers.
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