A 30-year-old Russian man was arrested at Phuket International Airport after customs officers found more than 17 kilograms of cannabis flowers and cannabis resin concealed inside two suitcases before he was due to leave Thailand. Get today's headlines by email The arrest took place at about 10.00am on 8 July 2026 in the international departures terminal at Phuket International Airport in Mai Khao, Thalang district, Phuket. Customs officer Rawin Kanokakorn and an arrest team inspected two blue BP WORLD wheeled suitcases belonging to Mr Sergei, a 30-year-old Russian national. During the search, officers found 35 vacuum-sealed packages containing cannabis flowers with a total weight, including packaging, of 11.4 kilograms. They also discovered 12 packages of cannabis resin weighing a total of 6.2 kilograms, including packaging. Both suitcases and their contents were seized as evidence. According to investigators, the suspect admitted that the luggage and all of the seized items belonged to him. He was charged with attempting to take goods out of the Kingdom without completing customs procedures. Officers then transferred him, together with the seized evidence, to investigators at Sakhu Police Station for further legal action. Pol. Capt. Ying Chapinya Surithammakul, Deputy Inspector (Investigation) at Sakhu Police Station, received custody of the suspect for legal proceedings. The operation was carried out under the direction of Pol. Col. Salan Sankitsasanakul, Superintendent of Sakhu Police Station, and Pol. Lt. Col. Rattanawut Nukaew, Deputy Superintendent of Investigation. Customs officials involved included Nucha Jeeradit, Chief of Phuket Airport Customs Office, Thanomjit Burirak, Director of the Customs Control Division, and Charoenporn Jaengwansuk, Head of the Investigation and Suppression Section. Amarin reported thot the arrest follows other recent cannabis smuggling cases involving passengers attempting to depart from Phuket International Airport. Authorities have continued inspections of outbound baggage as part of efforts to detect attempts to export cannabis products illegally from Thailand. Picture courtesy of Amarin 9 July 2026
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