Police in Brazil have accused three British Airways cabin crew members of lying about a reported robbery while in Rio de Janeiro.
The three cabin crew members, aged 40, 39 and 31, told Brazilian police they had been robbed while in the city in September.
The incident led to the delay of the return flight they were due to be working on, according to local media reports.
In a further development, police have now claimed the trio invented the story after losing their phones while on an alcohol and drugs binge in the city.
Patrícia Alemany, Special Tourism Support Police (DEAT) said: “What is surprising is how a crew that has such an important role spends the whole night drinking and using drugs, knowing that they would have the responsibility of taking care of dozens of people who would travel for hours.”
Investigators now believe the trio lost their phones during the night out and have published CCTV footage of three BA flight attendants at 4.50am.
The crew had been staying in Rio de Janeiro and reportedly tried to get back to their hotel but were taken to a closed petrol station and robbed by three men, reports have claimed.
They alleged that thieves took two phones and their belongings while a third mobile, which had been secretly hidden, was taken after they were robbed a second time.
Assistant police chief Danielle Bullus said: “They created these stories to try to justify probably inappropriate behaviour outside of company rules."
Police believe one BA crew member, who was separated from his chums, drank "to the point of becoming unconscious".
They said construction workers revived him and called for help and, "while waiting for the ambulance, the foreigner allegedly showed ...white powder - the police believe it to be cocaine".
In hospital, cops say the BA worker admitted he had "spent the night drinking and taking drugs with two women".
British Airways told the Standard that “this is a matter for the police” and that those involved were being supported.
