Four Vietnam Airlines flight attendants were arrested in Vietnam on Friday for drug trafficking from France to Vietnam, according to the airline.

“Vietnam Airlines has received information about the detention of four flight attendants on flight number VN10 due to suspicion of carrying banned substances in their luggage.

“Currently, they have been suspended from duty to help with the investigation,” Vietnam Airlines’ spokesman, Dang Tuan, said in a statement to dpa.

Customs officials at Tan Son Nhat Airport in Ho Chi Minh City searched their luggage earlier on Thursday and found more than 10 kilograms of ecstasy and narcotics after arriving on a flight from France to Vietnam, Tuoi Tre newspaper reported, quoting the customs agency.

Vietnam has a reputation for extremely strict punishments for drug traffickers.

Under Vietnamese law, the production or sale of 100 grams of heroin or cocaine, or 300 grams of methamphetamine, can carry the death penalty.

Vietnam Airlines has a network of routes to 49 airports across 26 countries and territories, including Germany.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) has ordered agencies working at the country’s airports to strengthen inspection and supervision to detect passengers illegally transporting goods by air. (dpa/NAN)