SAA flight attendant gets 7 years in UK Prison for drug smuggling

[LazyLion]

http://www.iol.co.za/news/crime-courts/saa-flight-attendant-gets-7-years-1.682085

A South African Airways flight attendant has been jailed for seven years in the United Kingdom after trying to smuggle drugs into the country, the UK Border Agency said on Monday.

Elphia Dlamini, 42, from Cape Town tried to smuggle cocaine into the UK in her bra and underpants in June, the agency said in a statement.

She first appeared in the Uxbridge Magistrate's Court in August where she pleaded guilty for importing a Class A drug into the country.

Dlamini was sentenced on Friday in the Isleworth Crown Court.

The flight attendant had been on a flight from Johannesburg to London Heathrow when she was caught .

“Upon landing at Heathrow, the entire crew was subjected to customs examination, led by a sniffer dog nicknamed “Clever Trevor” by officers.

When passing Dlamini, the Springer Spaniel quickly indicated to his handler that he had picked up the scent of cocaine.

Dlamini immediately admitted carrying drugs and officers seized three wrapped packages that were concealed in her underwear.”

Three kilograms of cocaine were found in her possession which was valued at 20 000 pounds (R221 400).

Assistant director of Criminal and Financial Investigations directorate, at the UK Border Agency, Peter Avery said” “this drug smuggling attempt is particularly serious because this woman has sought to abuse her position, thinking the UK Border Agency would pay less attention to airline and airport staff. That's simply not true.” - Sapa

Silly woman.

 

[Sting]

No sympathy.

Do the Crime,
Do the Time.

 

[blunomore]

The average IQ of air hostesses never ceases to amaze.

 

[LazyLion]

Yay for Clever Trevor!

 

[Wall]

She deserves it!

as Sting said: do the crime, do the time

 

[noxibox]

Good for her for trying. I'm glad there are those willing to risk imprisonment to ensure cocaine remains readily available on the market. Undoubtedly at least another 30kg slipped right past the UK Border Agency, so no worries about a steady cocaine supply entering the country.

 

[Frankie]

Good news.

I recall a few more cases, and one that exposed the complicit security company in JNB that processed the flight crews - maybe they're still waiting for trial.


Edit:

Security checks
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10432068
On a flight from Johannesburg to Heathrow in January 2009, 50kg (110lbs) of cannabis and 4kg (8.8lbs) of cocaine were discovered.

A month later customs officers uncovered 5kg (11lb) of cocaine in suitcases at the airport.

On each occasion, 15 crew members were detained by police and were later bailed.

http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/265631

On Thursday, Kempton Park police near the Johannesburg airport also arrested a second South African Airways female cabin crew member in connection with the UK drugs find. The night before, they had arrested a baggage security team member, a woman from Tembisa.
Senior Superintendent Tummi Golding said the woman was arrested after questioning on Thursday. This followed the arrest on Wednesday night of a 43-year-old female security official from Tembisa, near Johannesburg airport. The woman was part of a security team clearing the SAA crew's luggage.

South African Airways crew arrested for drug smuggling - the SECOND in four weeks

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...ug-smuggling--SECOND-weeks.html#ixzz10kD4uiFR

 

[Mila]

Good.

 

[Fudzy]

Yeah no sympathy for her whatsoever, in fact she should be deported to spend her time in an SA jail. Being a female UK prison inmate sounds a lot more cushier than an SAA air stewardess.

 

[JayM]

Under 7 pounds per gram - that's good value!

 

[Jola]

Yeah no sympathy for her whatsoever, in fact she should be deported to spend her time in an SA jail. Being a female UK prison inmate sounds a lot more cushier than an SAA air stewardess.

But she might get parole ...

Rather the Poms pay for her jailtime.

 

[Maddmatt]

And no effort made to catch the people taking advantage of her I suppose? The smugglers seem like stupid/desperate people, arresting them doesn't do much good because they're easily replaced. They should be interrogated and used to catch people higher up.
I've watched shows about these smugglers, they're arrested without question and nobody seems to bother using them to catch whoever supplied the drugs.

And if someone sneaks drugs into your bag somehow, you're screwed.

 

[Fudzy]

Rather the Poms pay for her jailtime.

VFT!!

Saying that I watch quite a bit of Discovery, there is a show about Australian customs and a number of people get caught smuggling drugs over there (quite a few from SA ) if I was down and out on my luck, taking a chance getting quite a bit of cash for a delivery vs. being locked up in an Australian jail both seem like win options to me.

 

[VioAdmin]

The 7 Kilos of Cocaine that the Cops picked up goes where? Back in the streets...clever these cops are, clever like that Dog.

 

[wise_guy]

I need theories on how she managed to conceal 3kgs in her undies withou bulges etc.Please keep it clean.I know its hard- er.... the theories that is.

 

[Jola]

VFT!!

Vogel-Fulcher-Tamman (polymer science equation) ???

 

[TheHiveMind]

They should Fine SAA and send her back

 

[Fudzy]

Vogel-Fulcher-Tamman (polymer science equation) ???

Well that AND Very F%cking True.

 

[Jola]

Very F%cking True.

Ah, thanks.

 

[Celine]

Yeah no sympathy for her whatsoever, in fact she should be deported to spend her time in an SA jail. Being a female UK prison inmate sounds a lot more cushier than an SAA air stewardess.

no we'll have malema calling racism here. she must stay there and do the time.