Airline catering staff held after Sydney cocaine bust

CANBERRA - Three men charged over the importation of cocaine through Sydney Airport were past and present airline catering staff, the Australian federal police say.

An 18-month joint investigation by the police and customs led to raids on six Sydney homes on Sunday and the seizure of a kilogram of cocaine, estimated to be worth A$350,000 ($428,000), from Sydney Airport. The house searches also found quantities of Australian and foreign currency.

Six men, aged between 20 and 55, have been charged with importing and conspiring to import border controlled drugs, and dealing in the proceeds of crime. The offences carry penalties from 15 to 25 years' imprisonment.

The bust is believed to be related to the importation of 5.7kg of cocaine on a flight from Los Angeles to Sydney in December 2007, with an estimated street value of A$1.6 million ($1.96 million).

Federal police acting national manager of aviation Commander Steve Grant said two of the men worked for an airline catering company and one was a former employee.

"There was a member of the syndicate who brought the drugs onto the plane ... and secured them within the cabin at a location known to the catering people," he said.

The men were employed to remove catering equipment from planes after they landed in Australia, Grant said.

He refused to be drawn on where the drugs were coming from, except to say that there was an "overseas connection".

- AAP