Pictures courtesy of Daily News

 

Two Brazilian nationals have been arrested in Bangkok while attempting to collect a parcel containing one kilogram of cocaine, valued between 3 and 3.5 million baht. The operation was led by Thailand’s Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) as part of a wider crackdown on transnational drug trafficking networks operating in and through the country. The arrests took place in the Bang Na district on 22 October 2025.

 

The case began on 20 October, when ONCB officers working with the Customs Department, Thung Song Hong Police Station, and Thailand Post identified a suspicious parcel from Portugal. Inside, investigators found approximately 1,000 grams of cocaine hidden within the packaging. After confirming the parcel’s contents, authorities set up surveillance to monitor the intended recipients closely.

 

Two days later, officers observed the two suspects, both Brazilian nationals, arriving to collect the parcel. The pair were immediately detained and taken into custody. A subsequent search of their accommodation uncovered equipment believed to be used for repackaging and distributing narcotics, suggesting a wider link to international smuggling and local distribution networks, particularly targeting entertainment venues in Bangkok.

 

ONCB Secretary-General Pol. Lt. Col. Suriya Singhamon highlighted the significance of the coordinated effort, stressing that Thailand “will not allow the country to be used as a transit route or storage hub for illicit drugs.” He credited the success to close cooperation among multiple agencies and emphasised that such investigations demand patience, precision, and teamwork.

 

Suriya added that the ONCB and partner organisations under the Ministry of Justice will continue their joint operations to safeguard Thai society and youth from the harms of drug trafficking. Authorities also urged the public to report any suspected drug-related activity via the ONCB hotline 1386, promoting the message: “You report, we arrest.”

 

The investigation remains ongoing as officials work to identify additional members of the network and trace the origins of the shipment from Europe. Thai authorities reaffirmed their commitment to disrupting international drug trafficking routes and protecting communities from narcotics infiltration.

 

 

Key Takeaways

 

• Two Brazilians were arrested in Bangkok with one kilogram of cocaine valued at over three million baht.

• The drugs were traced to a parcel sent from Portugal, monitored through a coordinated ONCB-led investigation.

• Thai authorities reaffirmed their zero-tolerance stance on using the country as a drug transit or distribution hub.

 

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  Adapted by Asean Now from Matichon 2025-10-24

 

 

 

 

4 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Two days later, officers observed the two suspects, both Brazilian nationals, arriving to collect the parcel.

Dumb and dummer

"..Thailand “will not allow the country to be used as a transit route or storage hub for illicit drugs.”"

From the article, it sounded like Thailand was where retail sales at clubs etc were to take place... not transit or storage...

I guess crooks thought shipping thru Portugal might draw less attention than Peru or Colombia.... downfall was describing contents as "Bolivian baby powder"

Why would two go to pick up?!?

Seems to me they could argue successfully in their defence that they did not know what the parcel contained. It's reasonable to assume the parcel would be addressed to only one of them by name and the pickup point was a local Post Office.

5 hours ago, Emdog said:

"..Thailand “will not allow the country to be used as a transit route or storage hub for illicit drugs.”"

From the article, it sounded like Thailand was where retail sales at clubs etc were to take place... not transit or storage...

I guess crooks thought shipping thru Portugal might draw less attention than Peru or Colombia.... downfall was describing contents as "Bolivian baby powder"

Most of the meth that is transhipped to Australia passes through Thailand.

Manufactured in Myanmar from pre cursor chemicals from China.

How long has Portugal been a source of cocaine? Is it a well-known transit area?