French national accused of importing drugs into Australia on flight from Thailand - days after arrest of Thai Airways cabin crew member

By ASHLEY NICKEL, NEWS REPORTER, AUSTRALIA Published: 12:38, 30 June 2026 | Updated: 12:38, 30 June 2026 A French woman was arrested after landing in Australia from Thailand allegedly while carrying illegal drugs, just days after a Thai flight attendant was arrested. A 31-year-old woman faced Perth Magistrates Court on Tuesday following her arrest at Perth International Airport on May 29. The French national, who currently lives in Manning in inner-Perth, was stopped by Australian Border Force officers as she arrived on a flight to the WA capital. Officers allegedly discovered 50g of the banned chemical Butanediol hidden in her luggage in a small container labelled 'body wash'. The substance when taken metabolises into the drug GHB. ABF officers also searched the woman's phone and allegedly found a photo which indicated she was internally hiding further drugs. 'The matter was referred to the Australian Federal Police and the woman later expelled 40 steroid tablets, which were seized for forensic testing,' AFP alleged in a statement. The 31-year-old woman was charged with one count of importing a marketable quantity of border-controlled drugs. The offence has a penalty of up to 25 years behind bars if convicted.  A 31-year-old French woman (right) faced court in Perth on Tuesday after being arrested at Perth International Airport on May 29 The woman was accused of hiding illicit drugs internally and in a bottle labelled 'body wash' after arriving on a flight from Thailand The woman's court appearance is just a day after a Thai Airways worker was charged with allegedly attempting to smuggle heroine into Australia. The Thai national, 26, was searched as she arrived at Melbourne Airport last Thursday, June 25. ABF X-rayed 12 tote bags carried by the woman and allegedly found more than a kilogram of heroine, estimated to be worth $500,000. That woman was charged with one count of importing a marketable quantity of a border controlled drug and one count of possessing a marketable quantity of a border controlled drug. It is not suggested the cases are connected. The Thai woman is set to front Melbourne Magistrates' Court on September 14. Thai Airways shared a statement on Tuesday clarifying that it 'has strict rules, regulations, and oversight measures in place for all employees, including pilots and flight attendants'.  'Employees are prohibited from possessing, importing, transporting, or being involved with any kind of narcotics or illegal substances,' it said. The French woman's court appearance is just days after a Thai Airways worker was allegedly found with heroine hidden in tote bags (above) The Thai Airways worker was charged on Monday following the testing on her tote bags (above) last Thursday 'The company communicates and emphasises to all employees the requirement to strictly adhere to company regulations and the laws of the country of service prior to commencing duty on every flight.' Thai Airways added that it is assisting Australian authorities in the investigation into the alleged incident.  AFP Detective Acting Superintendent Peter Brindal said the alleged busts were proof of the hard work AFB undertakes to keep illicit drugs out of the country. 'The AFP works closely with the ABF to ensure illicit substances don't make it through the arrivals gate,' he said. 'Anyone contemplating being involved in drug importation should be aware this is a serious offence. The penalties can be severe and those involved will be detected, arrested and held to account before the courts.' ABF Superintendent John Eldridge said ABF officers were committed to protecting the community. 'Butanediol is an extremely dangerous chemical solvent that the body converts to Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) when ingested, and just a few milligrams can result in death,' Supt Eldridge said. 'Because it is so dangerous, Butanediol was declared a border-controlled drug in Australia in 2024, so when it is illegally imported it is considered to be on par with other more well-known drugs like methamphetamine, heroin and cocaine.' Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.