A SOUTH African Airways flight attendant has pleaded guilty to trying to smuggle 6kg of cocaine through Perth Airport.
Priya Govender was arrested in August after arriving in Perth on a flight from Johannesburg with the drugs hidden inside hollowed-out books in her bags.
She was due to face trial in August for importing a commercial quantity of cocaine but changed her plea to guilty when she appeared in the Supreme Court this morning.
Govender said she was pleading guilty on the basis of recklessness after reading an amended statement of facts.
The Commonwealth offence carries a maximum penalty of life in jail.
It is understood Australian authorities had been tipped off about Govender’s arrival and did a detailed examination of her baggage when she reached customs.
The airline earlier confirmed Govender had been employed as a flight attendant for about seven years and was on duty the night she was arrested.
Govender will be sentenced later this year.
