An 18-year-old Sri Lankan man has been arrested at Hat Yai airport in Songkhla after authorities discovered heroin and other illegal drugs concealed around his waist while he attempted to board a domestic flight. The suspect, identified as Abdul Rahman, was stopped during a routine security scan on 12 April, where officials noticed abnormalities around his body. A detailed search uncovered six packets of heroin weighing 2,440 grams, valued at approximately 600,000 baht, along with 910 tablets of Nimetazepam, also known as “happy five”.
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Police said the drugs had been tightly wrapped around his torso using adhesive tape in an effort to evade detection. The suspect confessed during questioning that he had been hired by a transnational drug network for 20,000 baht to transport the narcotics. He stated that a “boss” based in Malaysia had arranged and funded the entire journey, with the drugs intended for delivery in Sri Lanka.
Investigators revealed that the suspect entered Thailand via Don Mueang airport on 4 April before travelling south to Sadao district in Songkhla. He then illegally crossed into Kuala Lumpur to collect the drugs before re-entering Thailand by boat through Sungai Kolok in Narathiwat province. From there, he travelled to Hat Yai airport intending to catch a flight to Don Mueang as part of his onward route.
Picture courtesy of Daily News
Authorities believe the case is linked to a wider international trafficking network operating across Southeast Asia. Police Major General Thirask Sak Chaiyotha, along with officers from Khlong Hoi Khong police station and the Office of the Narcotics Control Board Region 9, confirmed that further investigations are underway to identify and apprehend other individuals involved. Both Thai and foreign suspects are expected to be targeted as the probe expands.
The arrest highlights ongoing concerns about the use of Thailand as a transit hub for cross-border drug trafficking. Officials have reiterated the importance of strict screening measures at airports and border checkpoints to intercept illicit activities.
Daily News reported that legal proceedings against the suspect are now in motion, while authorities continue to gather intelligence to dismantle the wider network behind the operation.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now Dailynews 14 Apr 2026
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