LONDON: United Kingdom's customs authority on Monday detained five Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) crewmembers from a London-Karachi flight on charges of smuggling and money laundering.

According to DawnNews, PIA flight PK-788 from London to Karachi was delayed when London airport authorities searched the crew's luggage for almost two hours, after which seven crewmembers were taken into custody. Two crewmembers were later released.

Sources said a large amount of currency and several insured mobile phones were recovered from the crew’s bags.

Sources said the PIA aircraft flew to Karachi with a crew comprising only seven members, which is below the required number per international flight safety standards.

According to DawnNews, those detained include Saadia Nabeel, Mohammad Ahmad, Owais Ahmed, Fareeha Mukhtar and Tauseef Ahmad, while Nadia Batool and Mohammad Zaman were released after questioning.

When contacted, a PIA spokesperson said the border security force had stopped the crew for questioning, adding that they had not been detained. The spokesperson said five crew members were questioned more than others but later returned to Karachi on their flight.

The spokesperson also dismissed reports of currency and cellphones being recovered from the crew.

PIA's smuggling woes

Accusations of smuggling are not new for PIA crew, which has on numerous occasions faced probes from domestic as well as international authorities for violating regulatory procedures.

Almost two months ago, London's Heathrow airport authorities issued a “yellow card” (or warning) to PIA for allegedly violating laws of the United Kingdom.

The Border Force Heathrow included PIA in the yellow category because its crewmembers are allegedly involved in carrying restricted items or goods in excess of their (duty-free) personal allowances.

Know more: Heathrow airport accuses PIA of violating UK laws.

In January this year, two planes belonging to national carrier were searched by British authorities as they landed in London. Customs and immigration authorities searched the two PIA planes without disclosing details regarding the reason for the search.

Sources said passengers and flight crew were thoroughly searched along with luggage after flights PK 785 from Islamabad and PK 787 from Karachi landed in London. Aircraft equipment was also searched by custom authorities, with the raid lasting approximately one hour.

Also read: Surprise searches conducted on two PIA planes in London.