A 28-year-old Thai woman has been arrested in Japan after customs officers allegedly discovered methamphetamine, known locally as “ice”, concealed inside coffee packets within a parcel she had been paid to carry from Thailand.
Her family insists she was an innocent courier who had no knowledge of the drugs and is urging Thai authorities to identify the person who arranged the shipment.
Family says daughter was tricked into carrying parcel
According to her parents, 53-year-old Thanasak Thongnoi and 45-year-old Kanyawee Fuengphian, their daughter, Juthathip Thongnoi, travelled to Japan on 11 July with her 28-year-old boyfriend, Sarawut, and another friend. The group had departed from Don Mueang Airport and arrived at Fukuoka Airport on 12 July.
Sarawut said Juthathip had created a Line group called THIENTHIEN SHOP last year, offering a parcel-carrying service for Thai people living in Japan and for customers in Thailand wishing to send items there.
On 10 July, a Line user identified as “ing ing” contacted the group and arranged for a 12kg parcel, sealed inside a heavily taped brown box, to be taken to Japan. Sarawut said the same customer had previously used the service in May, so they had no reason to become suspicious. He was unsure whether Juthathip had opened the box before travelling.
After landing in Fukuoka at around 7am on 12 July, Japanese authorities inspected the group’s luggage. Juthathip was detained, while Sarawut and their friend were questioned from approximately 8am until 7pm before being released.
Drugs allegedly hidden inside coffee packets
Sarawut said he initially received no explanation for Juthathip’s detention. After contacting the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Fukuoka, he was told to wait while Japanese police continued their investigation.
The consulate later informed the family that a prohibited stimulant had been detected. On 22 July, the family received formal notification stating that methamphetamine had been found hidden inside coffee packets.
The group had transported nine boxes in total. Every customer collected their parcels except the individual using the name “ing ing”, who never appeared and had blocked all communication. According to the family, the customer had transferred 3,600 baht in courier fees from a bank account under the name HO THI MAI.
Juthathip’s mother said the family immediately reported the matter to Bang Bua Thong Police Station and requested access to CCTV footage from the housing estate where her daughter lived. She said investigators have now been given all available evidence, including footage believed to show the person who delivered the parcel.
The family maintains that Juthathip has never been involved with illegal drugs and accepts only that she failed to properly inspect the package before agreeing to transport it.
Pictures courtesy of Daily News
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27 July 2026
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