'All airlines face drug problems'
2009-02-19 14:16
Johannesburg - The recent SAA drug smuggling incident had to be put in context as it was a problem faced by the rest of the world, the United Nation's Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) said on Thursday.
"This is a challenge for all airlines, for all countries, for all airports," southern African representative Jonathan Lucas told a briefing on Thursday.
"One has to put recent events with regards to those crew members in context. One must not come to the conclusion that SAA is a carrier that is being used for drug trafficking."
Lucas said that while last week's arrest of 15 crew members over the discovery of cocaine in crew bags was "very regrettable", it was important to recognise the allure of the profitability of the drug industry.
"The important thing, though... is people are ready to take risks to exploit the privileges they have which means everyone can be tainted," said Lucas.
- SAPA