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Flight attendant jailed for importing drugs

AAPSouthern Gazette

AN Air Asia flight attendant who was caught with drugs at Perth Airport has been sentenced to three years and three months in prison.

Nas Amir Hakim Bin Nasruddin, 32, pleaded guilty to importing 29.4 grams of pure ecstasy and 341.8 grams of pure ketamine worth a total of more than $60,000 in December last year.

He had hidden the drugs in three packages wrapped in white tape inside a Gucci clutch bag in his carry-on luggage, the West Australian District Court heard this week.

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Judge John Staude described Bin Nasruddin’s offending as “calculated and purposeful”.

“Clearly you took advantage of your status as an air crew member, a position in which you were less likely to be scrutinised,” he said.

“Flight crews should be above suspicion.”

The court heard Bin Nasruddin had significant credit card debt, loans and an unwell father who had significant medical expenses.

Judge Staude accepted Bin Nasruddin was a courier but said he was not acting under duress.

“You were not an unsophisticated participant,” he said.

“This was not intended to be a one-off drug run.”

Judge Staude accepted Bin Nasruddin was remorseful and of prior good character, but said general deterrence was also a significant sentencing consideration.

The court heard Bin Nasruddin had since lost his job with Air Asia, where he had worked for more than five years.

Bin Nasruddin must spend at least 15 months behind bars before he can be eligible for parole and is then likely to be deported to Malaysia.