The two flight attendants are suspected of smuggling liquid cannabis in cosmetic containers into South Korea. —VNA/VNS Photo

The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) has ordered a report into the case.

Speaking to VietnamPlus e-newspaper on Thursday morning, CAAV deputy director Đinh Việt Sơn said that a notice had been sent to airlines to verify the details of the allegations.

The South Korean MBC on Wednesday reported that the Incheon Police Department in west Seoul has arrested two of the four crew members of a Vietnamese airline for alleged drug smuggling. 

The two flight attendants are suspected of hiding liquid cannabis, or cannabis essential oil, worth KRW300 million (US$225,000) in cosmetic containers, which they had been bringing into South Korea since April 2023. 

According to initial investigations, the two airline staff admitted agreeing to help ship goods from Việt Nam to South Korea for compensation worth KRW68,000-150,000 ($51-113) for each trip. 

They said that they were not aware that there were cannabis substances inside the packages. 

Vietjet Air has confirmed that the two arrested are not part of their crew. 

Bamboo Airways and Vietnam Airlines said that they are currently waiting for verification from the authorities. 

The CAAV has previously issued a directive on strengthening measures against illegal trade among flight attendants.

Airlines are required to specify the responsibilities and disciplinary measures to the management level when cases happen under their supervision. 

The CAAV also required that Vietnamese airlines increase periodic and irregular inspection of the crews before and after the flight and strictly follow the rules should any violations occur. 

Communication will also be enhanced to raise awareness, and prevent and report on illegal trade and commercial fraud. — VNS