An airline employee has been charged over the alleged importation of more than a kilogram of heroin uncovered in tote bags.

Australian Border Force said the 26-year-old Thai woman was a crew member on an international flight that arrived at Melbourne Airport last Thursday.

Her baggage was screen by Australian Border Force officers, who identified “anomalies” in an X-ray of 12 tote bags.

The ABF said further examination  revealed a white powder hidden in the lining of the bags. Early tests have allegedly returned a positive reading for heroin.

The heroin had an estimated street value of $500,000.

The woman is accused of trying to traffic more than a kilogram of heroin. Photo: Australian Border Force

ABF officers reported the matter to AFP, who seized the tote bags and arrested the woman. She has been charged with importing and possessing a marketable quantity of a border-controlled drug.

Both offences have a maximum penalty of 25 years’ jail.

AFP Acting Commander Simone Butcher said the force would maintain itszero-tolerance approach to anyone who exploited a position of trust to facilitate criminal activity.

“The AFP remains unwavering in its efforts to target individuals who use their employment or community standing to support drug trafficking,” she said.

“We work closely with our partner agencies to protect the community from the scourge of illicit drugs.”

Border force Commander Clint Sims said criminal syndicates continued to target trusted insiders, including airline crew, to attempt to smuggle illicit substances into Australia.

“Anyone attempting to import illicit drugs into Australia, regardless of rank or position, will be targeted and face the full force of the law,” Sims said.

“ABF officers use intelligence-led targeting and a range of detection capabilities to identify those individuals who attempt to breach our border controls.

“The ABF remains alert to the threat of trusted insiders and will continue to identify and disrupt this activity to maintain the integrity of our border and protect the Australian community.”

The woman has been remanded in custody. She is expected to reappear in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court in September.