Airline staff charged over drug haul

SYDNEY, 11 July 2012: An airline employee was charged Tuesday for his alleged role in an international drugs syndicate smuggling narcotics through Sydney airport, police said.

Jonathan Klein, an employee of an unidentified commercial carrier, was being monitored Monday when an international flight landed in Sydney and he was seen removing a package from the plane and putting it in his car.

Later on Monday Klein, 37, was stopped at the airport and a police search of his car allegedly uncovered two blocks of a white substance, which tests indicated was one kilogram of the stimulant methamphetamine.

Police said another five kilograms of cocaine was also found, and a later search of his home uncovered A$1.6 million (US$1.62 million) in cash.

Klein was charged with two counts of importing a commercial quantity of border-controlled drugs. He faces a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

Two other men, aged 31 and 32, were also arrested Monday and charged with the commercial supply of a prohibited drug in connection with the same alleged syndicate.

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