The smuggling of gold, drugs and foreign currency through aeroplanes is a global issue. Both common citizens and airline staff are often involved. Last month, an Indian air hostess was caught smuggling gold. Now, a similar incident has occurred involving a crew member from Pakistan International Airlines (PIA). This time, a PIA air hostess was caught smuggling foreign currency at Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport.
The incident happened on Saturday. The air hostess was trying to hide dollars and Saudi riyals worth approximately Rs 40 lakh in her socks. Customs officials, along with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and Immigration, apprehended her. Authorities are now investigating if this was her first time smuggling.
According to a report, the air hostess was found with USD 37,318 (equivalent to Rs 31 lakh) and 40,000 Saudi riyals (equivalent to Rs 8.9 lakh). She was scheduled to board a PIA flight from Lahore to Jeddah. Officials became suspicious when they noticed her unusual gait. Upon searching her, they discovered the hidden currency. A video of the search, showing a lady officer removing bundles of notes from her socks, has gone viral on social media.
This is not the first time crew members from PIA have been involved in such incidents. PIA staff have a reputation for smuggling and sometimes disappearing abroad, particularly in Canada. Recently, Noor Sher, a crew member on a flight from Pakistan to Canada, disappeared after arriving in Canada. Since January 2023, 14 crew members have vanished in similar circumstances. In 2022, five crew members went to Canada and did not return. In March of this year, a PIA air hostess was detained at Toronto Airport in Canada with multiple passports.
This incident reminded many of the recently released Bollywood film Crew starring Tabu, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Kriti Sanon, where the three were air hostesses smuggling gold to earn money and were under heavy scrutiny of the customs department.
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