Thailand’s Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) has seized heroin concealed inside silk clothing, local handicrafts, coffee packets and winter jackets that was destined for Australia and Taiwan. The drugs were hidden in international parcels intercepted during an operation involving the ONCB and partner agencies, with investigators linking the network back to the Golden Triangle.

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Speaking at the ONCB headquarters on 2 July 2026, ONCB Secretary-General Pol Lt Col Suriya Singhakamol said the latest seizures followed an earlier operation on 30 June. Officers intercepted two parcels in Bangkok containing heroin hidden inside local products and bound for Australia.

Investigators traced the latest parcels to Loei province, where they found they had been dispatched on 1 July. ONCB officers immediately inspected a parcel delivery shop in Loei and discovered that three more packages with similar characteristics to those that had already been distributed to two locations in Bangkok.

At the first location in Bang Kapi district, officers seized two parcels containing 6.23kg of heroin hidden inside silk clothing. The packages were destined for Taiwan.

At the second location on Rang Nam Road in Ratchathewi district, officers seized one parcel containing 9.98kg of heroin concealed inside coffee packets and winter jackets. That shipment was destined for Australia.

Further investigation found that the suspected organiser of the Australian-bound shipments is a Thai national wanted under an arrest warrant issued in Tak province for fraud. According to investigators, the suspect directed the operation from Australia.

Officers expanded the investigation by raiding three locations in Loei and Nakhon Phanom linked to the parcel shipments and bank accounts used to receive transport payments. A suspect involved in dispatching the parcels told investigators that he and his Lao wife had delivered the packages on two occasions after collecting them from a Lao man. Payment for the work was transferred into his wife’s bank account.

Pol Lt Col Suriya said Thailand’s border with the Golden Triangle, a major production area for methamphetamine, crystal meth, heroin and ketamine, together with the country’s extensive transport links by road, air, sea and international postal services, makes close cooperation between domestic and international agencies essential in disrupting drug trafficking networks.

Khaosod reported that he said authorities will continue investigating the wider trafficking network and pursue legal action against everyone connected to the operation. Members of the public with information about drug offences are encouraged to contact the ONCB hotline on 1386, with officials stating that all reports will remain strictly confidential.

Pictures courtesy of Khaosod

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Khaosod 3 July 2026

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