Air Tahiti Nui has suspended more than 30 cabin crew who are suspected of being involved with drug smuggling. Australian travel industry website e-Travel Blackboard reports that police in Tahiti said they had evidence that the employees were smuggling drugs into French Polynesia:
According to police, a number of Air Tahiti’s cabin crew bought large quantities of cannabis, ecstasy and cocaine on stopovers in the United States. These drugs were later resold in French Polynesia for up to 15 times the original purchase price.Another article about the drug smuggling investigation published yesterday in the Sydney Morning Herald notes that "no pilots or technical staff were alleged to have taken part in the smuggling."
Out of the 100 employees that were questioned by police, 33 are due to appear in court at Papeete in September.
Air Tahiti Nui provides long-haul service between Tahiti and locations in Japan, France, Australia, New Zealand, and the U.S. The airline is certified under the French Civil Aviation Authority.
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