SAA crew escapes UK drug charges
For the benefit of those that slated the entire SAA crew when this was splashed all over the news in South Africa:
From SABCNews
SAA crew escapes UK drugs charges
July 14 2009 , 8:00:00
British customs official today announced that 14 of the 15 South African Airways (SAA) crew members arrested at Heathrow airport in January on suspicion of smuggling drugs will not face charges. Investigations will continue into the 15th crew member, whose bail has been extended.
Georgina Myles, a spokesperson for Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs confirmed there is no further action at present against 14 of the crew members, also noting that the bail date has been extended for the one remaining crew member as investigations are ongoing.
The 15 flight and cabin crew were detained after officers seized 50 kg of cannabis, worth about £150 000 and 4kg of cocaine with an estimated street value of £160 000 in their luggage. The suspects had arrived on a flight from Johannesburg.
Myles says another 15 SAA crew were arrested in a separate incident in February when around 5kg of cocaine was found in their baggage. Those crew members are on bail and investigations are ongoing. State-owned SAA says British authorities have confirmed no action would be taken against the crew members at this stage, although there remains the possibility of charges if ongoing investigations produce evidence in the future. - Reuters