Crime Aussie Caught Smuggling 4.26kg of Ice at Suvarnabhumi Airport

[webfact]

Pictures courtesy of Siam Rath

 

BANGKOK - At Thailand's Suvarnabhumi Airport, authorities apprehended a 68-year-old Australian man who was attempting to smuggle 4.26 kilograms of methamphetamine, commonly known as ice, hidden within luggage and soap bars.

 

The Customs Department, in collaboration with the Airport Interdiction Task Force (ATIF) and Thai authorities, flagged the passenger en route to Perth, Australia.

 

Upon inspection using an X-ray machine, officials discovered the illicit drugs cleverly concealed in a black hard-shell suitcase, side bag, and 12 soap bars, valued at approximately 1,276,500 baht.

 

Thailand's Customs spokesperson, Mr Panthong Loykulnunt, highlighted the ongoing efforts to tighten security and prevent drug trafficking across all channels.

 

The operation resulted from coordinated efforts among the Customs Department, the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB), and the Narcotics Suppression Bureau (NSB), which utilised intelligence data to identify high-risk individuals.

 

The confiscated methamphetamine tested positive for illegal substances when analysed with the ONCB051 Marquis Reagent.

 

This arrest underscores a violation of Thailand's Customs Act, sections 242, 252, 166, and 167, which relate to the unauthorised export and possession of Category 1 narcotics.

 

 

This incident adds to the already substantial number of drug-related cases that have been intercepted by the Customs Department this fiscal year, highlighting the ongoing challenge of tackling the illicit drug trade, reported Siam Rath.

 

From October 2023 to mid-August 2024, officials seized various drugs, including ice, heroin, cocaine, and yaba, totalling 197 cases with a combined value of over 1.265 billion baht.

 

The Thai government remains committed to safeguarding society by intensifying its actions against illegal imports and exports, reflecting its unwavering stance against narcotics.

 

This latest seizure illustrates the robust and persistent efforts to tackle drug smuggling and protect communities from the dangers that these substances pose.

 

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Siam Rath 2025-08-18

 

[thesetat]

What an idiot, 68 years old and now will spend the rest of his short life in a thai prison and most likely will die in there. Serves him right though. 

[Jim Blue]

Soap bars ! That's a new one .