South Korean Drug Trafficker Arrested in Pattaya with Ice Hidden in Hollowed-Out Books

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture of arrest.

 

Immigration and anti-narcotics officers have arrested a 51-year-old South Korean man wanted on an Interpol Red Notice for international drug trafficking. The suspect, identified as Mr. Lee Choun Sam, was apprehended at a condominium in Jomtien, Pattaya, where authorities discovered 150 grams of crystal methamphetamine hidden in a sophisticated smuggling setup.

 

The arrest operation was carried out by Pol. Maj. Gen. Chairit Anurit, Commander of Immigration Division 3, alongside officers from Chonburi Immigration Police and the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB). Officers raided Room 834 on the 8th floor of a high-end condominium in Soi Thepprasit 9, where Lee had been hiding.

 

During the search, officers found a large quantity of crystal meth, as well as small GPS tracking devices and packaging equipment. The suspect had devised an intricate smuggling method, hollowing out books to create hidden compartments for the drugs. He allegedly planned to send these packages from Thailand to South Korea as part of a larger drug trafficking network.

 

Authorities also discovered that Lee had overstayed his visa and now faces charges, including:

 

Possession and distribution of a Category 1 narcotic (crystal methamphetamine) with intent to sell, an offence deemed a threat to public safety and national security.

 

Overstaying his visa, in violation of Thailand’s immigration laws.

 

Lee was immediately detained and transferred to the Narcotics Suppression Bureau (NSB) for further legal proceedings.

 

According to Pol. Col. Napaspong Khositsuriyamanee, Chief of Chonburi Immigration Police, Lee was working with his wife, who had already been arrested in South Korea for smuggling drugs into the country. Lee is believed to have sourced narcotics from foreign suppliers in Pattaya before concealing them in packages equipped with GPS trackers to facilitate international trafficking.

 

Authorities confirmed that Lee remains wanted under an Interpol Red Notice for additional drug-related offences. Investigations are now underway to identify and arrest other members of his drug network.

 

Police have reiterated their commitment to dismantling transnational criminal operations, particularly those using Thailand as a base for illegal activities.

 

-- 2025-02-13

 

 

[Jim Blue]

Whaw an avid book reader , thought they were extinct!

[mikebell]

3 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

The suspect had devised an intricate smuggling method, hollowing out books to create hidden compartments for the drugs.

A good ploy.  Most Thais never open a book willingly.

[Tropicalevo]

4 hours ago, Jim Blue said:

Whaw an avid book reader , thought they were extinct!

 

Not extinct yet. I still read books, as do some friends. Two books on the go at a time.

I do not have a TV, nor do I watch films or You Tube, Tik Tok whatever.

Just books and on-line newspapers.

Us dinosaurs live on - just.