A Qantas is being investigated for suspected organized crime among its employees. According to the investigation, there are 150 people involved in an alleged international drug cartel.
The Age website published this Sunday that these people, all Qantas employees, have relations with the Comanchero gang, already investigated for the issue of drug importation.
The investigation also reports that these employees worked with a focus on Sydney Airport, in Australia, allowing the entry of drugs into the country through vulnerabilities in the customs security part. Some of these vulnerabilities were created by Qantas employees themselves, or by third-party airport companies.
Australian Politicians have called for an urgent review of security rules at the country's airports. Speaking to the media, opposition federal labor policy Catherine King raised concerns that organized crime groups have not only adapted to the COVID-19 environment, with fewer international flights, but have even thrived.
The operation allegedly concluded that up to 60 Qantas employees were linked to "serious drug offenses" or "organized crime groups", while 23 "used employment in the aviation environment to facilitate various criminal activities".
In addition, seven employees are suspected of child exploitation, including possessing and manufacturing child pornography.
Qantas security chief Luke Bramah said the airline had not been made aware of any investigations into company employees involved in organized crime activities. Bramah said the company has requested a report on the investigation from the Australian Federal Police and the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission.
The company also highlighted, through an official statement by Luke Bramah, that all employees are evaluated in an aptitude test, before working with the international cargo part. For this reason the company has a Trusted Trader certificate.
It remains unclear whether Qantas can be punished for the behavior of its employees, or lose important certifications. Some countries neighboring Australia treat international drug trafficking with the death penalty, and the company may be limited to cargo operations there.
Bramah highlighted that Qantas s and cooperates with the investigation, and may punish those involved after reviewing the investigation report.
With information aerotime e The Age.
