Four flight attendants of national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines who were taken into custody last week for transporting 11.4 kilograms of ecstasy and meth from France to Vietnam were released on Wednesday afternoon.

According to Ho Chi Minh City investigators, there is no ground to file criminal charges against them.

However, the case is still under investigation.

Police said the flight attendants -- Vo Tu Quynh, Tran Thi Thu Ngan, Nguyen Thanh Thuy, and Dang Phuong Van -- did not know that they were carrying drugs.

Last Thursday, customs officials at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City detected 8.4 kilograms of grey tablets and 3.080 kilograms of white powder, which are ecstasy and methamphetamine, in the four flight attendants’ carry-on luggage.

The drugs were found in toothpaste tubes.

Lieutenant General To An Xo, spokesperson of the Ministry of Public Security, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that based on investigation results, relevant agencies had analyzed the collected documents and evidence as well as prevailing regulations before they freed the flight attendants. 

While the flight attendants were in France, a Vietnamese person contacted them and asked them to carry 327 toothpaste tubes and 17 mouthwash bottles to Vietnam for VND10 million (US$426) in remuneration, Xo informed.

He added that the four flight attendants did not know that the drugs were hidden in 157 of the toothpaste tubes.

Ho Chi Minh City police have started legal proceedings in the case to impose heavy sanctions on violators in line with the law.

Police officers earlier raided the residences of the four flight attendants and found no drugs there.

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