Following the arrest of South African Airways (SAA) crew members for drug trafficking - for the second time within the span of a month - a task team has recommended the solution to curbing trafficking lies with technology.
The task team, which was established in January following reports of suspected drug trafficking by SAA crew members, made the recommendation following a second incident involving the same airline. Last week, 15 crew members were arrested at Heathrow airport, in London, following the discovery of drugs in hand luggage.
The task team comprises representatives from Heathrow airport, Airports Company SA (ACSA), the South African Police Services (SAPS) and customs officials. It was established to review drug trafficking measures at South African airports and make recommendations.
Drug detection devices were offered as a solution to curb drug trafficking, along with an update in scanner technologies currently used by local airports.
Bongani Maseko, operations director at ACSA, said the body would implement the recommendations and improve collaborations with airlines, customs officials and the police service to ensure drug trafficking is eradicated.
“Taking the government's concerns and directives into account, ACSA will assume responsibility for security and processing of staff through the SAA crew centre. We wish to assure all parties concerned that every possible measure will be put in place over and above the prescribed international standards to reduce criminal activity at the crew centre.”
The 15 crew members have since been released and will be required to appear in a London court on 6 April. SAA says it is co-operating with British authorities in an investigation which is currently under way.
SAA Aviation Security and the SAPS Crime Intelligence Unit are also investigating the matter.
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