Crime American Man Arrested at Phuket Airport for Smuggling 6 kg of Heroin

[snoop1130]

Picture courtesy of Phuket News

 

In a dramatic sting operation, an American man has been arrested at Phuket International Airport, attempting to smuggle over six kilogrammes of heroin out of Thailand. The revelation, the result of a coordinated effort involving the Tourist Police, Customs, and narcotics officers, has sent shockwaves throughout the region.

 

The suspect, identified as 61-year-old Tyler Trong Luong, was apprehended on July 16 while preparing to board a flight to Doha, with onward tickets to Brussels and France.

 

Immigration authorities revealed that Luong had hidden 6.6kg of heroin in ten boxes of Coffee Mate creamer within his checked luggage.

 

Following a tip-off from international law enforcement partners, Police Lieutenant General Saksira Pueak-am, head of the Tourist Police, ordered an urgent investigation. Teams from Tourist Police Divisions 2 and 3, along with Customs and Narcotics Suppression Units, diligently tracked Luong’s movements between July 14-16.

 

As he checked in at the airport, officers swiftly acted. An X-ray of his luggage exposed suspicious contents, leading to the discovery of heroin wrapped in yellow tape, cleverly disguised in the creamer boxes.

 

Luong allegedly stated that he was unaware of the drugs, claiming he was merely helping a French acquaintance by transporting the bags to France.

 

The police investigation is now widening to uncover any other individuals involved in this brazen smuggling attempt. Luong faces serious charges under Thailand’s stringent narcotics laws.

 

This operation highlights the critical cooperation between international and Thai authorities, showcasing their commitment to combatting drug trafficking. With the heroin's estimated street value exceeding 30 million Thai Baht, this arrest represents a significant victory against international narcotics networks.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-07-17

 

 

[blaze master]

3 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

this arrest represents a significant victory against international narcotics networks.

 

No it doesn’t.

[connda]

With a stopover here? DOH: Hamad International Airport, Doha, Qatar
Both Thailand and Qatar have death penalties for drug trafficking although life in prison are more likely. Dude probably would be better off taking the lethal injection. Back in 2002 that drug bust would have gotten the dude 15 rounds in the back via a Heckler-Koch machine gun. Thailand has become much more compassionate with drug smugglers.

[ukrules]

2 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

this arrest represents a significant victory against international narcotics networks

 

Nonsense.

 

Where did the drugs come from? Where do they grow them and why do they allow it?

 

[frankie machine]

he's done for. 

[wombat]

While he was being busted the real concealment went through?

[Wuvu2]

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Immigration authorities revealed that Luong had hidden 6.6kg of heroin in ten boxes of Coffee Mate creamer

 

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

heroin wrapped in yellow tape, cleverly disguised in the creamer boxes.

 

Clever because almost everyone carries a few kg of Coffee Mate when they travel  🙄

[SongSomSoda]

14 hours ago, connda said:

With a stopover here? DOH: Hamad International Airport, Doha, Qatar
Both Thailand and Qatar have death penalties for drug trafficking although life in prison are more likely. Dude probably would be better off taking the lethal injection. Back in 2002 that drug bust would have gotten the dude 15 rounds in the back via a Heckler-Koch machine gun. Thailand has become much more compassionate with drug smugglers.

 " i took the suitcase for someone else , you think i would be so stupid travelling with drugs through Doha?"

[newbee2022]

Long time jail at least!

[jaywalker-2]

3 minutes ago, Wuvu2 said:

 

 

Clever because almost everyone carries a few kg of Coffee Mate when they travel  🙄

I was living in BKK in 2001. I went to Okinawa for work and got on the US Marine Corps Base Exchange. I found a 5 lb bag of self-rising flour. I like baking, so I brought it back to BKK.

 

This was back when idiots were mailing anthrax powder all over the place. I had no problems. Nothing illegal, but stupid.

[hotchilli]

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Luong allegedly stated that he was unaware of the drugs, claiming he was merely helping a French acquaintance by transporting the bags to France

Nice try... the slammer for you.

[Colabamumbai]

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Picture courtesy of Phuket News

 

In a dramatic sting operation, an American man has been arrested at Phuket International Airport, attempting to smuggle over six kilogrammes of heroin out of Thailand. The revelation, the result of a coordinated effort involving the Tourist Police, Customs, and narcotics officers, has sent shockwaves throughout the region.

 

The suspect, identified as 61-year-old Tyler Trong Luong, was apprehended on July 16 while preparing to board a flight to Doha, with onward tickets to Brussels and France.

 

Immigration authorities revealed that Luong had hidden 6.6kg of heroin in ten boxes of Coffee Mate creamer within his checked luggage.

 

Following a tip-off from international law enforcement partners, Police Lieutenant General Saksira Pueak-am, head of the Tourist Police, ordered an urgent investigation. Teams from Tourist Police Divisions 2 and 3, along with Customs and Narcotics Suppression Units, diligently tracked Luong’s movements between July 14-16.

 

As he checked in at the airport, officers swiftly acted. An X-ray of his luggage exposed suspicious contents, leading to the discovery of heroin wrapped in yellow tape, cleverly disguised in the creamer boxes.

 

Luong allegedly stated that he was unaware of the drugs, claiming he was merely helping a French acquaintance by transporting the bags to France.

 

The police investigation is now widening to uncover any other individuals involved in this brazen smuggling attempt. Luong faces serious charges under Thailand’s stringent narcotics laws.

 

This operation highlights the critical cooperation between international and Thai authorities, showcasing their commitment to combatting drug trafficking. With the heroin's estimated street value exceeding 30 million Thai Baht, this arrest represents a significant victory against international narcotics networks.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-07-17

 

 

Shock waves 555.

[renaissanc]

Heroin suppliers work with the Police in Thailand. In exchange for letting them run their operation, they pay the Police the agreed-upon amount each month and help the Police arrest drug mules now and again. The drug suppliers will choose someone to sacrifice so that they can carry on their business. It's a Win-Win for them and the Police. In this case, the American was probably the sacrifice. The Police will probably then sell the heroin. The business model is excellent!

[HappyExpat57]

13 hours ago, ukrules said:

 

Nonsense.

 

Where did the drugs come from? Where do they grow them and why do they allow it?

 

Not to mention a whole whopping 6 kilo? Not even a dent was made.

[renaissanc]

15 minutes ago, jaywalker-2 said:

I was living in BKK in 2001. I went to Okinawa for work and got on the US Marine Corps Base Exchange. I found a 5 lb bag of self-rising flour. I like baking, so I brought it back to BKK.

 

This was back when idiots were mailing anthrax powder all over the place. I had no problems. Nothing illegal, but stupid.

I wouldn't dare to do this nowadays, even with flour. If the Customs Officer who sees the flour is corrupt, he could exchange it for real drugs and extort you or arrest you if you won't pay. I used to live near a BKK Port Customs officer. He was very wealthy. But maybe this was because of working overtime often.

[DPKANKAN]

13 hours ago, ukrules said:

 

Nonsense.

 

Where did the drugs come from? Where do they grow them and why do they allow it?

 

And for everyone who gets caught how many get through undetected????😉😉😉😉

[Nickcage49]

Well, you've gotta give the guy credit. People say "go big or go home". He's not going home any time soon.

 

What's funny is, there's no way he would have gotten by the drug sniffing dogs in the US.

[novacova]

16 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The suspect, identified as 61-year-old Tyler Trong Luong

One would think a 61yo wouldn’t be so gullible and naive to do something so stupid.

16 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Luong allegedly stated that he was unaware of the drugs, claiming he was merely helping a French acquaintance by transporting the bags to France.

Irrelevant statement, it’s not going to help.

[grumpyoldman]

As my nic states I'm old, not so old to say, why I am doing heroin? Huh, what.........how stupid are you?

 

Total moneygrab by dum**ss and now he's in a lot of trouble.

[newbee2022]

15 hours ago, connda said:

With a stopover here? DOH: Hamad International Airport, Doha, Qatar
Both Thailand and Qatar have death penalties for drug trafficking although life in prison are more likely. Dude probably would be better off taking the lethal injection. Back in 2002 that drug bust would have gotten the dude 15 rounds in the back via a Heckler-Koch machine gun. Thailand has become much more compassionate with drug smugglers.

The time under Thaksin was different. He was going hard against drug dealing/smuggling.

Obviously not woke nowadays.

[UKJASE]

horrible drug.... tough titties

[Mattd]

These types of arrest don't really make much sense to me!

Why would the Thai authorities want to arrest anybody for taking illegal drugs out of the country.

Upon detection of the drugs, surely it would make more sense for them to inform their counterparts at the final destination where the arrest for the import of illegal drugs can be made.

That way, Thailand isn't on the hook for a potentially expensive trial, costly jail time etc. and they have scored brownie points for informing the receiving country.

[ryandb]

Not the brightest, stopover in the EU first! Wonder if this was for an earnert or to pay off a debt from the Triangle

[lamyai3]

53 minutes ago, Wuvu2 said:

Clever because almost everyone carries a few kg of Coffee Mate when they travel  🙄

🙄

 

Haven't heard of a cleverer plan since that time a former minister tried to disguise several kg of illegal white powder as self-raising flour... 

[dinsdale]

16 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The revelation, the result of a coordinated effort involving the Tourist Police, Customs, and narcotics officers, has sent shockwaves throughout the region.

Why?

[impulse]

All right!  The Yanks are on the board.  I was afraid the Brits would do a clean sweep.

 

[Showtime]

Heroin out of Thailand.  Now that is a new one.  At least he is creative.

[Showtime]

40 minutes ago, Mattd said:

These types of arrest don't really make much sense to me!

Why would the Thai authorities want to arrest anybody for taking illegal drugs out of the country.

Upon detection of the drugs, surely it would make more sense for them to inform their counterparts at the final destination where the arrest for the import of illegal drugs can be made.

That way, Thailand isn't on the hook for a potentially expensive trial, costly jail time etc. and they have scored brownie points for informing the receiving country.

 

Yeah, not to bright.  Now they only have him for possession.  If they waited until his final destination they could have caught who he was distributing them to also.

[black tabby12345]

From here to eternity.

Port of departure to the rest of  life behind bars at BKK Hilton.

 

Dramatic change of his.destination by the courtesy of Thai police.

Top of the Quality Tourist"  TAT sought...

[spidermike007]

In this world there is dumb and then there is really, really dumb. I think trying to smuggle heroin through any airport in the world is really dumb, but especially here with the risk of being locked up in a Thai prison for decades. I don't know about you guys, but I don't think I would do well in prison, and I think that is especially true of Thai prison for an extended period. 

 

I get the allure of quick cash, but there has to be a reasonable limit to the extent one would go for it.