Jet Airways crew under fire over smuggled smokes choose to resign

Mumbai: In a country where a pack of cigarettes cost Rs 440 (£6), smuggling them from India is perhaps the easiest way to make a quick buck. However, this cost two Jet Airways crew their jobs. They were apprehended at London’s Heathrow Airport on charges of smuggling cigarettes in February and May this year.
The two were de-rostered on their arrival in India and were served a letter seeking an explanation. Fearing termination, the crew members chose to resign.
The first incident was on February 21 when a crew member on flight No 9W 118 (Mumbai-London) was found carrying 9,000 cigarettes (45 cartons). The second incident was on May 30 when a crew member on 9W 120 was found carrying 1,800 cigarettes with him (nine cartons). As per the United Kingdom customs regulation, a traveller from outside the EU can carry 200 cigarettes (one carton). The entitlement for airline crew is the same.
Simon Barrett, press officer in the UK Border Agency, which controls immigration and customs, confirmed the incidents. A source with the airline said, “In both cases the crew were de-rostered on their arrival in India and were served a letter seeking an explanation. Fearing termination, they chose to resign.”
13/08/10 Aneesh Phadnis/Mumbai Mirror

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Categories: airports aug 2010, Foreign Aug 2010, Jet Airways Aug 2010