Four Vietnam Airlines flight attendants were detained at Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) in Ho Chi Minh City after customs officials discovered illegal substances concealed inside toothpaste tubes they were transporting in their luggage.
On March 16, 2023, customs conducted a security clearance check on the four flight attendants who were on board flight duty (VN 10) from Paris’ Charles de Gaulles Airport (CDG) to SGN airport.
Customs officials discovered 112 pieces of toothpaste tubes that contained 11.4 kg of ecstasy and other drugs.
The flight attendants, according to Radio Free Asia, were Dang Phuong Van, Tran Thi Thu Nga, Vo Tu Quynh, and purser Nguyen Thanh Thuy.
The flight attendants said that they were paid more than VND 10 million ($424) by a person in France to assist in the delivery of “certain commodities” to Vietnam.
“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 spokesperson Dang Tuan said in a statement seen by The Star.
“Currently, they have been suspended from duty to help with the investigation,” the airline spokesperson added.
The production or sale of 100 grams or more of heroin, cocaine, or 300 grams of methamphetamine, is punishable by death in Vietnam.
Currently, the airline is assisting the local police with their case investigation.
Image source: Ho Chi Minh City Customs Department, published on tuoitrenews.vn
