Summary Insufficient security measures and arrangements are the cause of an increase in smuggling incidents.
LAHORE (Dunya News) – The crew of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has been accused of smuggling luxury items, electronics, drugs and foreign currency.
Twelve smuggling incidents have been reported during the current government of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PMLN) and the accused have been arrested.
Insufficient security measures and arrangements are the cause of an increase in smuggling incidents in the recent past. According to custom authorities, the crew indulges in smuggling activities through flights to and from European countries and other private flights.
Sources have revealed that more women are involved in smuggling as compared to men. Moreover, the women staff of the PIA particularly air hostesses allegedly receive a list of luxury items to be smuggled prior to every flight.
50 grams of hashish has been recovered from the bag of an air hostess in PK-302 flight from Lahore to Karachi. Moreover, drugs amounting to millions of rupees were recovered from the laptop of another air hostess in the flight PK-709 from Lahore.
In a separate incident, PIA’s Flight PK 733 heading towards Paris was suspected of carrying drugs and was forced to land in Milan city of Italy. Upon searching, heavy amount of drugs was recovered and Police arrested the air hostess.
More recently, the cabin crew members of PK-758 fligh from London-Lahore were detained on charges of allegedly carrying 24 iPhones worth about Rs2.5 million and also foreign currency.
