Report Latvian National Arrested at Suvarnabhumi Airport for Heroin Smuggling

[snoop1130]

Photo via KhaoSod

 

A Latvian man was apprehended at Suvarnabhumi International Airport for attempting to smuggle heroin concealed in metal pipes. The arrest occurred today, June 23, following a coordinated effort between immigration officials and the Customs Department.

 

The suspect, 71-year-old Guntars Lukstins, had travelled from Laos on flight TG571, arriving on June 22. He was set to continue to Malaysia on flight TG417 shortly afterward. However, based on intelligence from the Suvarnabhumi Airport Investigation and Suppression Division, authorities were alerted to the smuggling attempt.

 

Upon intercepting Lukstins, officials searched his luggage and found a red canvas bag containing a field bed. Inside the bed’s metal support pipes, they discovered 47 packages wrapped in brown plastic, resembling sausages. Testing confirmed these packages contained approximately 3 kilogrammes of heroin.

 

Lukstins, who speaks Russian but not English, refused to provide statements regarding the smuggling operation. It is suspected that he acquired the drugs in Laos, as he did not have checked luggage on his outbound trip, yet returned with a 9-kilogramme loaded bag.

 

The suspect has been handed over to the Customs Department’s Investigation and Suppression Division for further legal proceedings. Details about the investigation are expected to be released by customs officials soon.

 

Police Major General Choengron Rimpadee, head of Immigration Division 2, emphasised the strengthened cooperation with neighbouring agencies to combat transnational crime, following directives from National Police Chief Police General Kittirat Phanphet and Immigration Commissioner Police Lieutenant General Phanumas Boonlak. This arrest underscores ongoing efforts to address drug trafficking in the region.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-06-23

 

 

[NickyLouie]

Quote

approximately 3 kilogrammes of heroin.

 

 

 

Quote

Lukstins, who speaks Russian but not English

 

 

 

[Stocky]

11 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

71-year-old

Silly old sod, well he won't need to worry about food, board and medical care in his old age.

[newbee2022]

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

However, based on intelligence

This time YES. Congrats. Job done 👍

[hotchilli]

That's his life over with, no more traveling.

[bananafish]

71, he's poised to live out the rest of his days with zero privacy or comfort ever again. 

[frankie machine]

1.  his life is essentially over

2.  someone did him in,  business rival or informant.

3.  if that was pure or nearly pure china white heroin, 6.6 pounds represents a vast fortune. 

[wavodavo]

9 minutes ago, frankie machine said:

1.  his life is essentially over

2.  someone did him in,  business rival or informant.

3.  if that was pure or nearly pure china white heroin, 6.6 pounds represents a vast fortune. 

Why is it that when we see cases like this some people suddenly start to blame someone else for tricking them or dobbing them in.??  the stupid old idiot knew what he was doing so it doen't matter how he got caught he's gotta just bend over and take his punishment.

[riverhigh]

Most probably the silly sod thought he could live the rest of his life in the lap of luxury.  What I don't like about him is his apparent lack of empathy concerning how much damage 3 kg of heroin can do. Take away his cigarretes and see how long it takes before he tells everthing he knows about the operation, which is most probably next to nothing. 

[frankie machine]

10 minutes ago, wavodavo said:

Why is it that when we see cases like this some people suddenly start to blame someone else for tricking them or dobbing them in.??  the stupid old idiot knew what he was doing so it doen't matter how he got caught he's gotta just bend over and take his punishment.

well, i wasn't blaming anyone else.  it was just a statement of fact.  obviously,  it's his fault and was a big mistake.  

[Andrew65]

Lucky that he didn't make it on to the flight to Malaysia and get caught there, where the death penalty is more likely to be carried out.

[ronster]

Guess he's lucky he wasn't caught in Malaysia.

[Quentin Zen]

16 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

71-year-old Guntars Lukstins

 

Cry for help.   I get it, or act like I get it.  So, pick a place where you think there are nice prisons and do it there.  NOT here.

 

Maybe hard to think rationally.  use Google, write it down, book ticket, and include a note that says:  Hungry, looking for free room.  

 

Norway's prison system, particularly Halden and Bastøy prisons, is widely regarded as one of the most humane in the world. These prisons prioritize rehabilitation and reintegration into society through a focus on normalcy, dignity, and comprehensive support services. 

[crazykopite]

You might get away with it a number of times but at the end of the day the chances of getting caught are extremely high regardless of age do the crime do the time maybe he can fake illness and request a stay in the luxury suite in the police hospital 

[Mike_Hunt]

He is definitely not older and wiser.

[MalcolmB]

The AN a judge and jury has decided his guilt and on a life sentence based on the evidence of the AN report.

 

I will call the courts and let them know that no trial is necessary.

[Khun Roberto]

If it's high grade, it's worth maybe US$200,000 - $250,000 wholesale in USA. (According to Grok)

[Iron Tongue]

71 year old Latvian.

Probably figured he had nothing to lose at his age, may as well try to make more money than he ever did when Latvia was just a Russian territory.

If anyone can translate his Russian, he's probably saying "I did it for the liquor and broads!" 

 

 

[Ebumbu]

Poor risk-to-reward profile. Was he starving? Was he facing homelessness and he rolled the dice? Maybe this was an "I have nothing to lose" situation. 

[unblocktheplanet]

Yeah, the misery heroin can cause and all that. In UK, it's still legal for addicts on prescription and they're functioning in society, not homeless thieves for their next fix.

 

How about the misery caused by those legal drugs, alcohol & tobacco. Why are they legal? Because...capitalism.

 

I feel sorry for the old codger. Perhaps he was set up or perhaps he's just stupid. I hope he gets sent back to Latvia where he may have people who love him. 

[Ebumbu]

2 hours ago, Quentin Zen said:

 

Norway's prison system, particularly Halden and Bastøy prisons, is widely regarded as one of the most humane in the world. These prisons prioritize rehabilitation and reintegration into society through a focus on normalcy, dignity, and comprehensive support services. 

 

You can't do it in Norway. Along with humane prisons, Norway considers addiction a medical condition and supplies medical-grade opioids to those with clinically-confirmed addiction disorder. Doctor supervised, safe, and monitored. Addicts are offered psychological counseling and other assistance to get them on their feet. The goal is to reduce crime and suffering.

 

Does it work? Many participants re-entered the workforce or stable housing. Yes, it has worked, lives have been saved, crime has been reduced, and other countries are adopting Norway's innovative approach. This is what a country with a conscience, or just a broad understanding of crime and addiction looks like. They don't create prisons for profit. 

[happydreamer]

There's alot of drug mules who get caught that really dont have alot of choices.  When you come from a poor country and you or your family has a debt to someone that's involved in this type of <deleted>...your only way out sometimes is by doing this <deleted>.  I know first hand guys I used to see on a daily basis from Mexico who told me about what it took to get out of Mexico.  His only choices there were to work with Cartels.  If you didn't work with the cartels you basically gave up any form of protection they offered.

 

Its easy to call someone an idiot if you dont know the full context of why they were involved

[1sickpuppy]

19 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Photo via KhaoSod

 

A Latvian man was apprehended at Suvarnabhumi International Airport for attempting to smuggle heroin concealed in metal pipes. The arrest occurred today, June 23, following a coordinated effort between immigration officials and the Customs Department.

 

The suspect, 71-year-old Guntars Lukstins, had travelled from Laos on flight TG571, arriving on June 22. He was set to continue to Malaysia on flight TG417 shortly afterward. However, based on intelligence from the Suvarnabhumi Airport Investigation and Suppression Division, authorities were alerted to the smuggling attempt.

 

Upon intercepting Lukstins, officials searched his luggage and found a red canvas bag containing a field bed. Inside the bed’s metal support pipes, they discovered 47 packages wrapped in brown plastic, resembling sausages. Testing confirmed these packages contained approximately 3 kilogrammes of heroin.

 

Lukstins, who speaks Russian but not English, refused to provide statements regarding the smuggling operation. It is suspected that he acquired the drugs in Laos, as he did not have checked luggage on his outbound trip, yet returned with a 9-kilogramme loaded bag.

 

The suspect has been handed over to the Customs Department’s Investigation and Suppression Division for further legal proceedings. Details about the investigation are expected to be released by customs officials soon.

 

Police Major General Choengron Rimpadee, head of Immigration Division 2, emphasised the strengthened cooperation with neighbouring agencies to combat transnational crime, following directives from National Police Chief Police General Kittirat Phanphet and Immigration Commissioner Police Lieutenant General Phanumas Boonlak. This arrest underscores ongoing efforts to address drug trafficking in the region.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-06-23

 

 

They should ave let him go on to Malay and tipped them off, at least they terminate the scum

[Straight8]

4 hours ago, Andrew65 said:

Lucky that he didn't make it on to the flight to Malaysia and get caught there, where the death penalty is more likely to be carried out.

Which is what, worse than a life sentence in Thailand?

 

He will wish he were dead after a year at Bangkok Hilton

[Teddy Boy]

5 hours ago, ronster said:

Guess he's lucky he wasn't caught in Malaysia.

I would say unlucky, surely you’ve got to be better off dead at that age 

[kennypowers]

8 hours ago, riverhigh said:

Most probably the silly sod thought he could live the rest of his life in the lap of luxury.  What I don't like about him is his apparent lack of empathy concerning how much damage 3 kg of heroin can do. Take away his cigarretes and see how long it takes before he tells everthing he knows about the operation, which is most probably next to nothing. 

 

On an individual basis it would do a lot of damage, as heroin users have a very high risk of overdose and death, with annual mortality rates of 1–3%. However, in terms of damage across wider society, alcohol is considered to be more dangerous, as it is a major risk factor for violence, neglect, accidents, cancer and liver disease.

 

Here's a breakdown of what that looks like:

 

Alcohol: Far-Reaching Societal Damage

Widespread Use: Legal, socially accepted, and used by billions worldwide.

 

Harms Non-Users:

- Violence: Alcohol is a major factor in domestic abuse, violent crime, and assaults.

- Traffic Deaths: Drunk driving kills thousands of innocent people each year.

- Child Neglect & Family Breakdown: Common in households with chronic alcohol misuse.

- Economic Burden: Billions lost due to healthcare costs, lost productivity, and law enforcement.

- Chronic Health Burden: Causes liver cirrhosis, cancer, heart disease, and worsens mental illness.

- Cultural Normalisation: Makes it harder to address its harms compared to illicit drugs.

 

Heroin: Intense but More Contained Harm

Used by a Small Population: Far fewer users than alcohol.

 

- High Mortality Rate per User: Overdose, infections (HIV, Hep C), and long-term degradation.

- Social Spillover: Still exists, but less pervasive:

  - Can contribute to crime, neglect, and strain on emergency services.

  - Risk of needle sharing and homelessness can impact broader public health.

 

[CHdiver]

8 hours ago, happydreamer said:

When you come from a poor country

Do you mean poor countries like the UK? Because they have mostly catched British Birds in the past months. Must be going really bad then