Melbourne court adjourns Thai flight attendant’s two-count heroin case to October 12
Meena Kondo remains in custody in Melbourne while prosecutors and defence lawyers discuss a possible resolution of her heroin case.
- Melbourne Magistrates’ Court adjourned Meena Kondo’s drug case to October 12, 2026, while lawyers pursue resolution discussions, News.com.au reported.
- Australian Federal Police allege more than 1kg of heroin was concealed in bags carried into Melbourne by the Thai flight attendant on June 25, 2026.
- Meena Kondo faces two drug offences, each carrying a maximum prison term of 25 years if convicted, according to Australian Federal Police.
Thai Airways flight attendant Meena Kondo remains in custody in Australia after Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Monday morning (September 14, 2026) adjourned her heroin case until October 12. Prosecutors and defence lawyers jointly requested more time for discussions aimed at resolving the case, News.com.au reported.
Lawyers given more time to discuss Meena’s case
Prosecutors and Meena’s defence lawyers told Magistrate Kieran Gilligan that they had begun “resolution discussions” and needed time for the process to continue, according to News.com.au. Gilligan described the development as “encouraging” and ordered that Meena remain in custody. News.com.au did not report an agreed plea or sentence in Meena’s case.
June 25 arrest followed Melbourne baggage screening
Meena, 26, has been held since her arrest at Melbourne Airport on June 25, 2026. A joint statement issued on June 29 by the Australian Federal Police and Australian Border Force said the flight attendant had arrived while on duty on an international flight.
Australian Border Force (ABF) officers detected irregularities during X-ray screening of 12 tote bags and found white powder concealed in the bag linings. The Australian Federal Police (AFP) and ABF said preliminary tests indicated heroin, alleging that more than one kilogramme had been seized, with an estimated street value of A$500,000.
The AFP charged Meena with importing a marketable quantity of a border-controlled drug and possessing a marketable quantity of a border-controlled drug. Each count carries a maximum penalty of 25 years’ imprisonment if convicted.
Speaking generally after Meena’s arrest, Australian Border Force Commander Clint Sims said criminal syndicates targeted flight crews and other trusted insiders to move drugs into Australia. Sims said anyone attempting to import illegal drugs, regardless of rank or position, would face “the full force of the law”, and that the agency would continue disrupting such activity to protect Australia’s borders and communities.
Thai Airways pledged cooperation and opened an inquiry
Thai Airways suspended the crew member and opened a fact-finding and disciplinary inquiry after the arrest, The Nation reported on June 29. The airline said it would cooperate with Australian authorities without intervening in the legal process and could dismiss the employee if wrongdoing was established.
Thai Airways also said it was coordinating with relevant agencies to ensure the employee received her basic legal rights. The airline reiterated its prohibition on staff involvement with narcotics and promised decisive action if misconduct was confirmed.
