United Kingdom’s customs authority on Monday detained five Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) crewmembers from a London-Karachi flight on charges of smuggling and money laundering.
PIA flight PK-788 from London to Karachi was delayed when London airport authorities searched the crew’s luggage for almost two hours, after which seven crewmembers were taken into custody. Two crewmembers were later released.
Sources said a large amount of currency and several insured mobile phones were recovered from the crew’s bags.
Sources said the PIA aircraft flew to Karachi with a crew comprising only seven members, which is below the required number per international flight safety standards. Those detained include Saadia Nabeel, Mohammad Ahmad, Owais Ahmed, Fareeha Mukhtar and Tauseef Ahmad, while Nadia Batool and Mohammad Zaman were released after questioning.