Vietnamese flight attendants detained in South Korea on suspected drug smuggling

HCMC – Two flight attendants from a Vietnamese airline have been detained in South Korea for alleged involvement in drug smuggling, according to South Korean authorities.

The incident unfolded in South Korea’s northwestern city of Incheon, bordering Seoul to the east, where police apprehended two female flight attendants, both in their early twenties.

They are suspected of smuggling cannabis oil, with an estimated value of 300 million Korean won (VND5.4 billion). The drug, concealed in cosmetic boxes, had been transported into South Korea since April 2023.

During questioning, the detained flight attendants claimed to have been unaware of the narcotics being concealed in the cosmetic containers and said that they were acting solely as couriers.

For their services, the two flight attendants reportedly received fees ranging from 68,000 to 150,000 Korean won (VND1.2 million to VND2.7 million) per trip.

South Korean authorities are now searching for two other members of the flight crew and have expanded their investigation to determine if additional individuals are involved in the smuggling operation.

South Korean Customs said they would enhance baggage checks for flight attendants arriving from Vietnam in response to this incident.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam has called upon airlines to investigate the matter promptly and report their findings. As of now, only Vietjet has confirmed that the two flight attendants in custody in South Korea were not their staff.

Bamboo Airways and Vietnam Airlines have not provided official statements on the matter.

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