(Bangkok, 29th) Thai customs officers at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport have arrested a Turkish passenger on suspicion of smuggling more than 12 kilograms of cocaine into Thailand from Brazil, with an estimated value of around 36 million baht (approximately 4.4 million ringgit).
According to Thailand’s The Nation newspaper, Customs Department Director-General Phantong stated that the arrest operation took place on Friday (June 26) and was jointly carried out by the Customs Department’s Investigation and Suppression Bureau and the airport’s anti-narcotics task force.
The Turkish passenger arrived in Bangkok from São Paulo, Brazil. During a search of his luggage, customs officials discovered concealed cocaine hidden in coffee bags and chocolate packaging.
Customs officials seized the drugs and detained the suspect, who was then handed over to narcotics authorities for prosecution. Thai authorities have also expanded the investigation in order to uncover the related drug trafficking network.
The customs department stated that under Thai law, cocaine is classified as a category 2 narcotic. Anyone who imports or exports drugs for commercial purposes will face charges, and penalties may include up to 15 years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to 1.5 million baht, or both.
Officials commented that this case reflects the continued attempts of transnational crime groups to smuggle drugs into Thailand using international aviation routes.
Phantong noted that from October 1 last year to June 25, the Customs Department has uncovered 214 drug and psychotropic substance cases, arrested 53 suspects, and seized drugs with a total estimated value exceeding 692 million baht.
The Customs Department pointed out that postal and courier packages remain the most common smuggling method, accounting for more than 76.6% of all drug-related cases seized by customs in the past nine months.
The customs department added that they will continue to broaden the scope of investigations to dismantle the transnational criminal networks behind drug smuggling, and urged the public to report any suspicious activities or potential violations, which is crucial to preventing the spread of drugs in Thailand.
The Turkish passenger arrived in Bangkok from São Paulo, Brazil. During a search of his luggage, customs officials discovered concealed cocaine hidden in coffee bags and chocolate packaging.
Customs officials seized the drugs and detained the suspect, who was then handed over to narcotics authorities for prosecution. Thai authorities have also expanded the investigation in order to uncover the related drug trafficking network.
The customs department stated that under Thai law, cocaine is classified as a category 2 narcotic. Anyone who imports or exports drugs for commercial purposes will face charges, and penalties may include up to 15 years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to 1.5 million baht, or both.
Officials commented that this case reflects the continued attempts of transnational crime groups to smuggle drugs into Thailand using international aviation routes.
Phantong noted that from October 1 last year to June 25, the Customs Department has uncovered 214 drug and psychotropic substance cases, arrested 53 suspects, and seized drugs with a total estimated value exceeding 692 million baht.
The Customs Department pointed out that postal and courier packages remain the most common smuggling method, accounting for more than 76.6% of all drug-related cases seized by customs in the past nine months.
The customs department added that they will continue to broaden the scope of investigations to dismantle the transnational criminal networks behind drug smuggling, and urged the public to report any suspicious activities or potential violations, which is crucial to preventing the spread of drugs in Thailand.