1.3 tonne of Cocaine found onboard an Air France aircraft in Paris...

[Jet Jockey A4]

For sure an inside job with ramp employees part of the scheme.

Poor Air France... Can’t catch a break!


Yahoo News Canada - Latest News & Headlines

[2Planks]

Is that a record for the most expensive amount of hold cargo in one ac??
Might as well be hung for a sheep as a lamb!

[LTNman]

Just shows how easy it is to plant a bomb in a random suitcase and put it on a flight.

[Jet Jockey A4]

Couldn't agree more.

All these security measures are for "show" only.

[DaveReidUK]

Just shows how easy it is to plant a bomb in a random suitcase and put it on a flight.

Only if you assume that everyone who's prepared to look the other way to facilitate the loading of a tonne of coke would be equally happy to play a part in blowing an aircraft full of passengers out of the sky.

[Paolo6691]

You don't tell it is a bomb, a plain box looks the same either full of cocaine or tnt

[Herod]

I presume the whole loading team were in on it? What happened to bag/pax reconciliation, or does that only apply in Europe.

[Heathrow Harry]

probably half the airport staff were in on it - or at least knew enough to "look the other way"

[Una Due Tfc]

Over 30 suitcases registered with names of people not on the aircraft. Shocking lapse in security.

And what the hell were they thinking doing this on the 11th of September? If there was one day you can gurantee extra checks will be made....

[LEGAL TENDER]

What happened to bag/pax reconciliation, or does that only apply in Europe.

All it takes is a corrupt/rogue dispatcher and baggage team leader.
Usually temping staff on a (next to) minimum wage.

I did it once as a seasonal temp worker at a major UK airport, after 2 weeks on the job I was left on my own to make the final call on pax/bag reconciliation.

[PilotsOfTheCaribbean]

This is really quite remarkable!

Every time I have transited through CDG with AF, they have only managed to lose my suitcases.

[DX Wombat]

what the hell were they thinking doing this on the 11th of September?

Do you know something which none of the rest of us do? According to Reuters:
They (ie Air France) did not give a precise date. That said, it was a frightening lapse of security - or was it? Until we know more, who is to say that some of the airport security staff were not behind it? If they were, then would it not be reasonable to assume that they would have taken every possible measure to ensure such a valuable cargo reached its destination? How many previous consignments have already been sent prior to this one?

[Una Due Tfc]

It was reported on France24 (a tv news station) as having occured on September 11th

[broadreach]

From the Yahoo News site in the first post:

"Pending the results of these investigations, immediate measures have been taken to enhance our checks of baggage and goods on departure from certain sensitive destinations," the airline said in a statement.

Gobbledegook

[DX Wombat]

Thank you UDT.

[Tigger4Me]

Only SLF and student PPL (failed!) here so go easy with me please guys. Obviously I have no intimate knowledge of how the ramp operates and the first thought that came to my mind was the fuel calculation. Would this extra 1.3 tonnes have been notified to the flight deck? If not, could it have been a safety issue? Also, if not notified, would the then inaccurate weight/balance calculation have compromised safety?

[Burnie5204]

Thing that gets me about this (speaking as someone that is also a Special Constable) is that suppliers and dealers wouldn't just move 1.3T in one go the first time they try the 'route'.

This must have been going on for months or years moving numerous smaller loads to 'route test' to check that they could actually move it through the system before you go for 1.3T of pure white.


Which begs the question - how much more cocaine has moved through CDG in this manner before this haul got caught?

[connies4ever]

Definitely inside. Back in the 60s my father worked the YWG ramp for AC. Called home one night to say "I'll be late". Got in 4AM, had been grilled by RCMP re hash on AC Western Arrow (LHR-YWG-YVR). Actually it was Dad that found it on top of a ceiling panel in a rear loo. Was LHR staff working with ME contacts.

Also in the 80s, packets of blow were found in mx spaces on the wings of A320s working MBJ-YWG. To access these spaces you need a special tool, not just a Robertson screwdriver. So it was obviously not SLF trying to mule something.

[FullWings]

Would this extra 1.3 tonnes have been notified to the flight deck?

Yes, on the NOTOC: Benzoylmethylecgonine, 1,300Kg

It would make a great 'nosebag' for the crew party!

[wiggy]

French language report here:

1,3 tonne interceptée à Roissy. Saisie record de cocaïne - Paris Match

Mentions that Venezuelan authorities have arrested 3 soldiers (?guards).