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Qantas wants answers over claims it’s infiltrated by drug cartel
Qantas is seeking answers over ‘disturbing’ claims the company is rife with employees helping organised crime gangs smuggle drug shipments into Australia.
The Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission says as many as 150 employees could be assisting a cartel operation which spans Dubai, Turkey and Hong Kong.
The investigation says a ‘significant’ number of Qantas employees have been recruited by gangs.
Qantas has requested details from the ACIC, as well as the Australian Federal Police, Border Force and Aviation and Maritime Security agencies.
"To be clear, none of Australia’s law enforcement agencies have told us of the existence of a report that suggests there are potentially 150 Qantas employees who have connections to organised crime. Nor have they raised concerns with us about our vetting or background checking processes," Qantas’ Chief Security Officer Luke Bramah said.
Qantas employees are required to renew their security clearance every two years.
It is estimated the smuggling operations bring in A$1.5 billion worth of drugs into Australia each year.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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