28-2-2024 (BANGKOK) Authorities at Suvarnabhumi Airport detained a Chinese national attempting to smuggle 3,000 grams of heroin into Australia. Lieutenant General Phanurat Lukboon, Secretary-General of the Narcotics Control Board (NCB), disclosed details of the arrest made by the Airport Interdiction Task Force (AITF), a collaboration between Customs Department, ONCB, Royal Thai Police, and the FDAWU.
The arrest followed information received from Chinese authorities concerning an individual involved in illicit drug trafficking from Thailand to Australia. AITF, tasked with combating cross-border drug crimes, intercepted the suspect scheduled to travel on February 26, 2023, from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Melbourne, Australia.
Close to departure, AITF identified a man matching the provided description, prompting officers to conduct a search. The inspection revealed 3,000 grams of heroin, concealed in two powder-filled containers and six bars hidden within a travel bag. The suspect faces charges of attempting to export a Type 1 narcotic (heroin) without authorization and possessing a Type 1 narcotic (heroin) for trading purposes, posing a threat to national security.
Lieutenant General Phanurat emphasized the Thai government’s commitment to addressing drug-related challenges. In collaboration with international partners, efforts to combat transnational drug crimes will be intensified. Following the arrest, AITF will collaborate with Australian authorities, including the Australian Federal Police (AFP), for further investigation and actions against the broader network involved.
The incident underscores the importance of scrutinizing drug trafficking not only at border areas but also at airports. According to NCB statistics for 2022-2023, AITF successfully seized 85 cases of narcotics destined for Australia through airport channels, amounting to 116.116 kg of ice and 116.147 kg of heroin.
