South African Airways crew escape UK drugs charges

LONDON (Reuters) - Fourteen of 15 South African Airways crew members arrested at Heathrow airport in January on suspicion of smuggling drugs will not face charges, a British customs official said on Tuesday.

Investigations will continue into the fifteenth crew member, whose bail has been extended.

"There is no further action at present against 14 of the crew members," said Georgina Myles, a spokeswoman for Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs.

"The bail date has been extended for the one remaining crew member as investigations are ongoing."

The 15 flight and cabin crew were detained after officers seized 50 kg (110 lb) of cannabis, worth about 150,000 pounds, and 4 kg of cocaine with an estimated street value of 160,000 pounds in their luggage.

The suspects had arrived on a flight from Johannesburg.

Another 15 South African Airways crew were arrested in a separate incident in February when around 5 kg of cocaine was found in their baggage. Those crew members are on bail and investigations are ongoing, Myles said.

State-owned South African Airways said British authorities had confirmed no action would be taken against the crew members at this stage, although there remains the possibility of charges if ongoing investigations produce evidence in the future.

(Reporting by Phakamisa Ndzamela)