QANTAS Flight Attendant on Drug Charge
From the Melbourne Herald Sun - Wednesday 12 April 2006
Hostie sacked after drugs found
Shannon McRae
12apr06
A QANTAS flight attendant has allegedly been caught trying to smuggle drugs into Australia hidden in her armpit.
Suellen Patricia Cryer was arrested at Sydney airport and charged with importing a drug by the Australian Federal Police.
The Sydney woman, 54, who has been with the airline for about 25 years, had flown from Auckland to Sydney before her arrest. A Qantas spokesman said she was not on duty at the time she was arrested.
Ms Cryer was sacked immediately after the arrest.
In a letter to staff seen by the Herald Sun, Qantas head of customer services Lesley Grant last month warned employees they would be sacked immediately if they disobeyed strict conduct guidelines set by the airline.
"Last week a Qantas long-haul cabin crew member was searched by Australian Customs officers on arrival in Sydney and was found to be carrying a marketable quantity of an illicit substance," the letter said.
"The cabin crew member was subsequently arrested and charged by the Australian Federal Police."
Ms Cryer has appeared in Sydney's Central Local Court and been released on bail to appear again on April 26.