Four Hong Kong Citizens Arrested with 14kg of Heroin at Thai Airport

[webfact]

Picture courtesy: Naewna

 

Four Hong Kong citizens were apprehended at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport last evening (23 June) after authorities found them carrying 14 kilogrammes of heroin. This major bust highlights the growing international cooperation in tackling drug trafficking networks.

 

Acting on a tip-off from Hong Kong authorities, Thai police were prepared for the drug smuggling operation. Pol. Lt. Gen. Phanurat Lakboon, secretary-general of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board, and Mr. Purin Meganan, director at this agency, led the operation in coordination with the Narcotics Suppression Bureau and the Customs Department.

 

The tip-off indicated that Mr. Leung Wai Kit, identified as a significant drug dealer in Hong Kong, along with accomplice Mr. Chun He Chow, would be arriving in Bangkok to collect a large consignment of heroin. With this crucial information, Purin collaborated with the Airport Interdiction Task Force (AITF) to closely monitor the suspects.

 

Mr. Kittipong Kittikachorn, director of Suvarnabhumi Airport, was alerted, and security measures were ramped up. At 7 p.m. on the night of the arrests, the suspects were intercepted while loading their luggage onto a conveyor belt. A search of their suitcases revealed 40 packages of heroin concealed inside, totalling 14 kilogrammes.

 

 

According to Purin, the suspects confessed to being instructed by their commander, another Hong Kong citizen, to transport the heroin from Thailand back to Hong Kong. Surveillance footage is being reviewed to identify the individual who supplied the drugs at their hotel. 

 

Authorities believe the narcotics were sourced from the Golden Triangle, a notorious drug-producing area. This marks the second attempt by this group to smuggle drugs; their first endeavour was just last month.

 

Mr. Panthong Loikulnan of the Customs Department mentioned that standard airport X-ray inspections can miss narcotics concealed in luggage. In response, Thai officials are now implementing more stringent measures to prevent similar incidents.

 

This successful operation underscores the importance of international collaboration in combating the drug trade. The authorities are determined to tighten security and improve detection methods to thwart future smuggling attempts.

 

-- 2024-06-25

 

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[spidermike007]

Not something you want to get caught doing here! There are alot of shortcuts on how to make money. This is not one of the smarter ones. 

[Jonathan Swift]

2 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

Not something you want to get caught doing here! There are alot of shortcuts on how to make money. This is not one of the smarter ones. 

Yeah, like driving a tuktuk or taxi and overcharging tourists

[spidermike007]

10 minutes ago, Jonathan Swift said:

Yeah, like driving a tuktuk or taxi and overcharging tourists

Nah. Those guys are above the law. We see that all the time. Their mafias are stronger than the RTP. They are never prosecuted. A small fine here and there. That is it. Same problems, over and over. 

 

Heroin. That is a different deal. 

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Acting on a tip-off from Hong Kong authorities, Thai police were prepared for the drug smuggling operation.

Otherwise?

[ronster]

I'm guessing the 4 in the photo are not the guilty, unless it was fancy dress day ! 😄

[rwill]

Didn't read it correctly.  I thought they were bringing it into Thailand.

 

Edited Monday at 11:38 PM by rwill

[thesetat2013]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

This successful operation underscores the importance of international collaboration in combating the drug trade. The authorities are determined to tighten security and improve detection methods to thwart future smuggling attempts.

They got a tip and followed up on it... How does this underscore anything about collaboration?  When will they stop adding this stuff to the reports? It gets boring after. 

[Hayduke]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Authorities believe the narcotics were sourced from the Golden Triangle

 

Amazing…..barely hours into the investigation….the RTP has swiftly and unerringly zeroed in on the source of this devious, criminal scheme. 

 

Golden Triangle…..who would have thought?

 

 

Edited Tuesday at 12:15 AM by Hayduke

[Mark17AA]

52 minutes ago, ronster said:

I'm guessing the 4 in the photo are not the guilty, unless it was fancy dress day ! 😄

Still look a dodgy bunch though. Looks like a reception in a used car sales... would you but a used car from these men?

[Peterphuket]

1 hour ago, spidermike007 said:

Nah. Those guys are above the law. We see that all the time. Their mafias are stronger than the RTP. They are never prosecuted. A small fine here and there. That is it. Same problems, over and over. 

 

Heroin. That is a different deal. 

Do you think then that the same mafia clique does not trade in that heroin😂

[Peterphuket]

Acting on a tip-off from Hong Kong authorities,

 

Not such bright Chinese, I think all luggage that goes on a plane is screened, so it was simple, a phone call from Honk kong airport to the authorities in Thailand, and then these 4 policemen can gloat again how good they are.

[Grumpy one]

1 hour ago, ronster said:

I'm guessing the 4 in the photo are not the guilty, unless it was fancy dress day ! 😄

You never know these days   

[thjames88]

1 hour ago, thesetat2013 said:

They got a tip and followed up on it... How does this underscore anything about collaboration?  When will they stop adding this stuff to the reports? It gets boring after. 

Huh?  Authorities from Country A  with information from its country informs Authorities in Country B about a potential buy and smuggle drugs about to happen in Country B   BEFORE it happens...  if thats not collaboration what is?  

[ChaiyaTH]

One wonders, they just send like dozens daily and most get trough, or they really catch most seldom attempts who try.

[ShaneOTraveller]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Picture courtesy: Naewna

 

Four Hong Kong citizens were apprehended at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport last evening (23 June) after authorities found them carrying 14 kilogrammes of heroin. This major bust highlights the growing international cooperation in tackling drug trafficking networks.

 

Acting on a tip-off from Hong Kong authorities, Thai police were prepared for the drug smuggling operation. Pol. Lt. Gen. Phanurat Lakboon, secretary-general of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board, and Mr. Purin Meganan, director at this agency, led the operation in coordination with the Narcotics Suppression Bureau and the Customs Department.

 

The tip-off indicated that Mr. Leung Wai Kit, identified as a significant drug dealer in Hong Kong, along with accomplice Mr. Chun He Chow, would be arriving in Bangkok to collect a large consignment of heroin. With this crucial information, Purin collaborated with the Airport Interdiction Task Force (AITF) to closely monitor the suspects.

 

Mr. Kittipong Kittikachorn, director of Suvarnabhumi Airport, was alerted, and security measures were ramped up. At 7 p.m. on the night of the arrests, the suspects were intercepted while loading their luggage onto a conveyor belt. A search of their suitcases revealed 40 packages of heroin concealed inside, totalling 14 kilogrammes.

 

 

 

According to Purin, the suspects confessed to being instructed by their commander, another Hong Kong citizen, to transport the heroin from Thailand back to Hong Kong. Surveillance footage is being reviewed to identify the individual who supplied the drugs at their hotel. 

 

Authorities believe the narcotics were sourced from the Golden Triangle, a notorious drug-producing area. This marks the second attempt by this group to smuggle drugs; their first endeavour was just last month.

 

Mr. Panthong Loikulnan of the Customs Department mentioned that standard airport X-ray inspections can miss narcotics concealed in luggage. In response, Thai officials are now implementing more stringent measures to prevent similar incidents.

 

This successful operation underscores the importance of international collaboration in combating the drug trade. The authorities are determined to tighten security and improve detection methods to thwart future smuggling attempts.

 

-- 2024-06-25

 

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[ShaneOTraveller]

555 Gotcha!! The golden triangle strikes again and lets hope its a lengthy prison sentence in the Bangkok Hillton.

[RichardColeman]

Whatever happened to the digital moving sign at the old airport that said something like 'Thailand has the death penalty for drug smuggling'.

 

Don't know how these smugglers do it, I panic when going through Thai customs with a box of tea bag, some HP sauce and carton of gravy powder each year

[brianthainess]

2 hours ago, ronster said:

I'm guessing the 4 in the photo are not the guilty, unless it was fancy dress day ! 😄

One is Elvis.

[brianthainess]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

This marks the second attempt by this group to smuggle drugs; their first endeavour was just last month.

Oh please get real................they don't even have dogs at swampy to sniff out drugs TTBOMK.

[Korat Kiwi]

Mr. Panthong Loikulnan of the Customs Department mentioned that standard airport X-ray inspections can miss narcotics concealed in luggage. 

 

Can they just... more like the operators aren't on their game.  I would sincerely hope that the xray machines do pick this up. 

 

Many a TV show regarding border control, has clips showing drugs being intercepted by xray.  Normally a backup test via 1st Defender confirms presence of drugs. 

 

It's a very weak link otherwise in the control over illegal drug trafficking. 

[Korat Kiwi]

1 hour ago, RichardColeman said:

Whatever happened to the digital moving sign at the old airport that said something like 'Thailand has the death penalty for drug smuggling'.

 

Don't know how these smugglers do it, I panic when going through Thai customs with a box of tea bag, some HP sauce and carton of gravy powder each year

I like Malaysia anti drug advertising.  It use to be apicture of a noose but it's moved on a bit since the 80s

 

 

 

[sanabavy IV]

3 hours ago, Hayduke said:

 

Amazing…..barely hours into the investigation….the RTP has swiftly and unerringly zeroed in on the source of this devious, criminal scheme. 

 

Golden Triangle…..who would have thought?

 

 

they just tasted the stuff..

 

[mokwit]

32 minutes ago, sanabavy IV said:

they just tasted the stuff..

 

To make sure it wasn't just flour? Apparently there have been cases of what was thought to be heroin turning out to be flour, although this didn't emerge until after the smuggler had been convicted and sentence served.

[mokwit]

4 hours ago, Hayduke said:

 

Amazing…..barely hours into the investigation….the RTP has swiftly and unerringly zeroed in on the source of this devious, criminal scheme. 

 

Golden Triangle…..who would have thought?

 

 

In fairness if it was in the original packaging it would be branded.

[bradiston]

5 hours ago, thesetat2013 said:

They got a tip and followed up on it... How does this underscore anything about collaboration?  When will they stop adding this stuff to the reports? It gets boring after. 

Maybe the tip came from Hong Kong.

[pub2022]

6 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

 There are alot of shortcuts on how to make money. 

 

Really?

 

[PETERTHEEATER]

.......the suspects were intercepted while loading their luggage onto a conveyor belt. .......

 

 Surely they knew this is a job reserved for Thai nationals. Throw the book at 'em.  😋

[MalcolmB]

13 minutes ago, PETERTHEEATER said:

.......the suspects were intercepted while loading their luggage onto a conveyor belt. .......

 

 Surely they knew this is a job reserved for Thai nationals. Throw the book at 'em.  😋

Thai National politicians.

[spidermike007]

1 hour ago, pub2022 said:

 

Really?

 

Yes. Just ask Trump. Easier to get rich if you are willing to take small contractors for the horror ride of their careers. 1,000s of them.