The paltry amount Thai Airways flight attendant was allegedly paid to smuggle $500,000 worth of heroin into Australia

By ASHLEY NICKEL, NEWS REPORTER, AUSTRALIA Published: 16:24, 2 July 2026 | Updated: 16:24, 2 July 2026 A Thai Airways worker accused of attempting to smuggle heroin into Australia allegedly took on the job for just $380. Australian Border Force (ABF) officers searched 12 totes bags carried by a woman, 26, after she landed in Melbourne last Thursday, June 25. It's alleged the bags were lined with more than a kilogram of heroin, estimated to be worth $500,000.  Pattaya Mail, a Thai news agency, reported the 26-year-old Thai Airways flight attendant was recruited for the alleged smuggling operation through social media. She was allegedly offered 8,800 baht, about AU$380. Thailand's Office of the Narcotics Control Board claimed an online user with the pseudonym 'Rose' shared an advertisement looking for travellers headed to Australia with around 20kg of spare luggage space. The account, which has since been deleted, reportedly told the flight attendant she would be carrying local products. The 26-year-old 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. A Thai Airways (above) worker was allegedly found with heroin hidden in tote bags The 26-year-old flight attendant was allegedly paid $380 to smuggle the drugs in tote bags (above) The Thai Airways worker was charged on Monday following the testing on her tote bags (above) last Thursday She 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 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.  Both Australian and Thai authorities are continuing investigations into the alleged social media recruitment and possible drug syndicate.  Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.