British Cannabis Smuggler Caught in Major Thai Airport Bust

[snoop1130]

Photo via MGR Online

 

In a significant breakthrough, Thai officials have detained one of Britain's leading cannabis smugglers at Samui International Airport. This arrest forms part of a larger operation against illegal cannabis smuggling, culminating in the detention of 13 foreign nationals, including ten Britons.

 

The crackdown began with the detection of suspicious luggage belonging to a British national, known only as Azeem, who intended to fly from Thailand to the UK via Hong Kong. Inside the luggage, authorities uncovered dried cannabis flowers. Subsequent investigations traced Azeem's stay at a hotel in Koh Samui, linking him to a network of foreign accomplices.

 

 

 

Azeem's associate, Darryl Poole, attracted suspicion after hotel staff in the Mae Nam sub-district reported unusual behaviour and an excessive quantity of luggage—ten suitcases, all presumed to contain illegal materials. Poole's attempt to discreetly ship the luggage to Bangkok was intercepted by Thai police at Racha Pier, unveiling 165 kilograms of dried cannabis.

 

Photo via MGR Online

 

Charged under Thai law for exporting controlled herbs without permits, Poole faces penalties that include imprisonment or fines. Authorities are now expanding their investigation to scrutinise Azeem and others involved in this audacious smuggling ring. The international operation highlights ongoing efforts to dismantle cannabis trafficking networks between Thailand and the UK, reported The Thaiger.

 

-- 2025-03-19

 

 

[Tropicalevo]

19 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

Poole's attempt to discreetly ship the luggage to Bangkok was intercepted by Thai police at Racha Pier, unveiling 165 kilograms of dried cannabis.

 

Having had three previous attempts to smuggle intercepted at Samui airport, maybe he decided to try Suratthani airport after the recent failure there to intercept a suitcases with cannabis in it.

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1354905-thai-tourists-escape-charges-in-cannabis-luggage-mix-up-in-japan-video/

 

On 3/17/2025 at 5:33 PM, snoop1130 said:

In an unexpected twist, a Thai couple on holiday in Japan narrowly avoided legal trouble when they mistakenly brought the wrong luggage—packed with 24 kilogrammes of cannabis—into the country. This remarkable story began when the couple, part of a tour group, flew from Surat Thani to Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, intending to continue to Narita Airport in Japan.

[Middle Aged Grouch]

How foolish can those drug peddling criminals get on putting their stash in their own luggage on a plane !??!!....over consumption of that junk definately removes their elementary sense.

[MalcolmB]

1 minute ago, Middle Aged Grouch said:

How foolish can those drug peddling criminals get on putting their stash in their own luggage on a plane

They would have paid off airport baggage handlers at the other end that would wave it through. 
A lot of us getting caught in Thailand but not so much at the other end.

[SingAPorn]

With all the money involved and the amount of people on the very top of the food chain getting their kickback, small chances that drug trafficking or consumption would ever be wiped out. Just look at the amount of top level deciders or politicians who are junkies themselves, no matter where in the world. That itself will give a scope on how deep the plague has gotten to.

[newbee2022]

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Photo via MGR Online

 

In a significant breakthrough, Thai officials have detained one of Britain's leading cannabis smugglers at Samui International Airport. This arrest forms part of a larger operation against illegal cannabis smuggling, culminating in the detention of 13 foreign nationals, including ten Britons.

 

The crackdown began with the detection of suspicious luggage belonging to a British national, known only as Azeem, who intended to fly from Thailand to the UK via Hong Kong. Inside the luggage, authorities uncovered dried cannabis flowers. Subsequent investigations traced Azeem's stay at a hotel in Koh Samui, linking him to a network of foreign accomplices.

 

 

 

Azeem's associate, Darryl Poole, attracted suspicion after hotel staff in the Mae Nam sub-district reported unusual behaviour and an excessive quantity of luggage—ten suitcases, all presumed to contain illegal materials. Poole's attempt to discreetly ship the luggage to Bangkok was intercepted by Thai police at Racha Pier, unveiling 165 kilograms of dried cannabis.

 

Photo via MGR Online

 

Charged under Thai law for exporting controlled herbs without permits, Poole faces penalties that include imprisonment or fines. Authorities are now expanding their investigation to scrutinise Azeem and others involved in this audacious smuggling ring. The international operation highlights ongoing efforts to dismantle cannabis trafficking networks between Thailand and the UK, reported The Thaiger.

 

-- 2025-03-19

 

 

Good bye. Send a photo when you're out of prison....

In ten years or later🤗

[PETERTHEEATER]

14 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

Good bye. Send a photo when you're out of prison....

In ten years or later🤗

Although not stated in the article, I don't think the prescribed penalties for Exporting controlled herbs without a permit are too onerous. Perhaps an AN Forum member knows and could comment.

[shackleton]

This looks like a profitable  Business product money wise 💰 🤑 for criminals to come to Thailand and send to the UK 

No doubt will be reading about more arrests  in the future 

 

 

[riverhigh]

"Poole's attempt to discreetly ship the luggage to Bangkok was intercepted by Thai police at Racha Pier, unveiling 165 kilograms of dried cannabis"

 

Only 165 kilograms ... obviously this is for medical purposes. So Mr. Poole may have over reacted to the rumors of cannabis shortges, we all make mistakes. Give Mr. Poole the benefit of the doubt. 

[wombat]

A scratchy says he pays the fine and walks away.

[cookie1974]

Its been going on ever since they legalised it ( well done thailand) , with lax security and high profits to be made the only way to stop this trade is to start hitting these people with double figure prison sentences, not fines, they have opened pandoras box, its about time it was closed

[Tropicalevo]

5 minutes ago, cookie1974 said:

Its been going on ever since they legalised it ( well done thailand) , with lax security and high profits to be made the only way to stop this trade is to start hitting these people with double figure prison sentences, not fines, they have opened pandoras box, its about time it was closed

 

It was not legalised.

It was decriminalised.

One can still be prosecuted for recreational use, or even non-licenced medical use.

 

https://www.turnbridge.com/news-events/latest-articles/decriminalization-vs-legalization/

[pete43]

48 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

Good bye. Send a photo when you're out of prison....

In ten years or later🤗

Lucky he got caught here! If he had got to the UK then he definitely would be spending 10+ in the pokey. The Thai Police are all over this with sniffer dogs and humint from the weed sellers, so they don't get embarrassed by big drug seizures at the Other end!

[JJ-Thailand]

16 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Charged under Thai law for exporting controlled herbs without permits

 

Not too serious, I guess.

[newbee2022]

1 minute ago, JJ-Thailand said:

 

Not too serious, I guess.

It's a guess, yeah😳

[nausea]

A lot of these cases recently, I imagine it's something to do with the liberalisation of the cannabis laws here, makes getting hold of the stuff pretty easy, I guess it's just too much of a temptation, given the profits involved.

[cookie1974]

3 minutes ago, Tropicalevo said:

 

It was not legalised.

It was decriminalised.

One can still be prosecuted for recreational use, or even non-licenced medical use.

 

https://www.turnbridge.com/news-events/latest-articles/decriminalization-vs-legalization/

Splitting hairs, legalised/decriminalised same same but different as they say in Thailand, regardless of its legal status the fact remains that there are weed shops everywhere in all the tourist areas of Thailand,selling weed at very low prices compared to many European countries which has attracted criminal drug gangs from across the world, its no coincidence that the explosion in availability of  other street drugs ( cocaine in particular) has been particulary prevalent since the decriminilisation of cannabis, or is it just a coincidence?

[2long]

Only users lose drugs.

[anfh]

Must be the dumbest bunch of smugglers in the entire world. Obviously smoking far too much whilst coming up with their “ cunning plan “ !

[Tropicalevo]

3 minutes ago, cookie1974 said:

Splitting hairs, legalised/decriminalised same same but different as they say in Thailand, regardless of its legal status the fact remains that there are weed shops everywhere in all the tourist areas of Thailand,selling weed at very low prices compared to many European countries which has attracted criminal drug gangs from across the world, its no coincidence that the explosion in availability of  other street drugs ( cocaine in particular) has been particulary prevalent since the decriminilisation of cannabis, or is it just a coincidence?

 

From the link.

 

Decriminalisation is the act of removing any criminal sanctions against a certain drug, including its use or possession under a specified amount. A decriminalised drug is still illegal, but the punishment for it is much less harsh.

 

Your comment re other drugs is very relevant.

Starting on the 'lesser' drugs tends to increase the awareness and people then move on to others.

Especially youngsters.

[JJ-Thailand]

17 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

It's a guess, yeah😳

Poole faces penalties that include imprisonment or fines.

[Andycoops]

Let them all rot in the Bangkok Hilton.

[bendejo]

Sounds like it's harvest time in the Gulf of Siam islands. 

Maybe someone should take a trip to Mexico to learn how the big boys do it

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narco-submarine

 

 

[DualSportBiker]

33 minutes ago, anfh said:

Must be the dumbest bunch of smugglers in the entire world. Obviously smoking far too much whilst coming up with their “ cunning plan “ !

Perhaps not. In the 90s a group of Poles were busted from bringing weed INTO Thailand...

[Humpy]

Thailand legalised cannabis thereby encouraging 'farmers' to grow acres of the stuff which is now attracting smugglers from all over the World..... funny old thing !

[bristolgeoff]

If u lucky u get away with it one or 2 times.After that stop  and now look the bangkok hilton awaits you now enjoy your stay no vise required anymore

[Andrew65]

I'm guessing that because it's legal in Thailand these guys are thinking that it's ok to export it?

[factual monk]

I predicted it before already... 5 to 20 March is Europeans time to <deleted> up... then will be back to Russian and Other Asians...

Wish I can get my prediction correct for the lottery numbers too... 🙄 

[sabai-dee-man]

9 hours ago, MalcolmB said:

A lot of us getting caught in Thailand but not so much at the other end.

 

"Us"?

 

Do you have something to confess? 🤔 

[Colabamumbai]

We did this discreetly in the 70s, Thai stick, and things more dangerous. No dogs, no exrays.