Former THAI stewardess remanded in Melbourne on heroin charge
Meena Kondo, 26, is accused of smuggling 1.8 kilogrammes of heroin into Australia in the lining of 12 tote bags.
A 26-year-old former THAI stewardess has been remanded in custody in Melbourne after appearing in court on a heroin-smuggling charge.
Meena Kondo appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates Court, where her lawyer requested an adjournment to allow time for what was described as “commenced resolution discussions”. Magistrate Kieran Gilligan reportedly said the move was encouraging before ordering Kondo to remain in custody.
She is due to appear again on 12 October. Kondo has been in police custody since her arrest on 25 June, when she arrived for duty at Melbourne Airport.
According to reports cited by The Phuket News, 1.8 kilogrammes of heroin was found concealed in the lining of 12 tote bags she had reportedly been hired to carry from Thailand to Australia. Australian authorities estimated the drugs’ street value at B11.5 million.
Kondo faces a charge that could carry a prison sentence of up to 25 years in Australia.
Thai investigators have also arrested suspects alleged to have formed a drug-trafficking network that recruited people, including flight attendants, to carry goods containing concealed drugs to other countries.
