Thai customs officials have arrested a Turkish passenger at Suvarnabhumi Airport after discovering more than 12 kilogrammes of cocaine concealed inside coffee bags and chocolate packaging. The drugs, which officials estimate have a street value of around 36 million baht, were allegedly smuggled into Thailand on a flight from Sao Paulo/Guarulhos International Airport in Brazil.

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The arrest was announced by Customs Department director-general Phantong Loykulnanta, who said the operation formed part of the government’s urgent policy to combat transnational drug trafficking. The operation was carried out on June 25, by the department’s Investigation and Suppression Bureau in cooperation with the Airport Interdiction Task Force.

Officials searched the passenger’s luggage after his arrival from Brazil and allegedly found the cocaine hidden inside food packaging. Customs officers seized the drugs, detained the suspect and transferred him to investigators from the Narcotics Suppression Bureau for further legal proceedings.

Authorities said the investigation is now being expanded to identify any wider trafficking network connected to the case. Officials believe international criminal groups continue to exploit global air travel routes to transport narcotics into Thailand.

Under Thai law, cocaine is classified as a Category 2 narcotic. Those convicted of importing or exporting narcotics for commercial purposes face charges under the Customs Act B.E. 2560 and the Narcotics Code, with penalties of up to 15 years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to 1.5 million baht, or both.

The Customs Department said the seizure highlights ongoing efforts to strengthen border security against organised drug trafficking. Authorities have increased inspections using advanced scanning technology, K-9 detection dogs, intelligence analysis and closer cooperation with domestic and international law enforcement agencies.

From October 1, 2025, to June 25, 2026, customs officials seized narcotics and psychotropic substances in 214 cases. The total estimated value of the seized drugs exceeded 692 million baht.

Crystal methamphetamine, commonly known as “ice”, remained the most frequently seized drug by number of cases, quantity and value. Postal and express parcel deliveries accounted for more than 76.6% of all drug-related cases detected during the nine-month period, while officials also reported increasing attempts to smuggle newer psychotropic substances including zopiclone and etomidate.

The Nation reported that The Customs Department said it will continue expanding investigations in every case to dismantle the transnational criminal organisations behind drug trafficking. Officials also urged the public to report suspicious activity to help prevent narcotics from spreading in Thailand.

Pictures courtesy of The Nation

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Nation 28 June 2026

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This drugs situation, it's like trying to hold back the tide!

Not every man with tattoos is a criminal but the lion's share of criminals are inked up. Maybe everyone with conspicuous tattoos should be given closer scrutiny, perhaps even body cavity searches. Dogs aren't fooled by other scents that smugglers try to disguise the drugs with: dogs smell everything separately.

1 hour ago, flaming dragon said:

Not every man with tattoos is a criminal but the lion's share of criminals are inked up. Maybe everyone with conspicuous tattoos should be given closer scrutiny, perhaps even body cavity searches. Dogs aren't fooled by other scents that smugglers try to disguise the drugs with: dogs smell everything separately.

Should they also discriminate against skinheads too?

I actually despise tattoos also but unfortunately that seems to be the rage now, also starting to see more 60 year old + people that look stupid who thought it was a good idea 20 / 30 years ago.

Oxygen removal from importers and dealers sounds like a reasonable approach.

It really takes a special type of stupid to try to smuggle 12 kilos of cocaine into a country, that has the death penalty for major drug offences with famously awful prisons, through its main international airport... Darwin Awards contender.

I flew from BKK to MNL last week. They flagged my checked luggage for inspection. Apparently something triggered them. A woman I know there likes Thai mama instant noodles and I had a box with me. Apparently the noodles looked in the X-ray (to them) like packets of marijuana. We all had a good laugh after they found the soup. The inspector guy said because I was coming from Thailand, that den of sin, and mj was legal there, extra scrutiny was applied to all Thai originating passengers. I would believe all countries look at Thai originating passengers the same.

35 minutes ago, Sir Dude said:

It really takes a special type of stupid to try to smuggle 12 kilos of cocaine into a country, that has the death penalty for major drug offences with famously awful prisons, through its main international airport... Darwin Awards contender.

Especially on a flight from a known drug source (Brazil)...

3 hours ago, PJ71 said:

more 60 year old + people that look stupid who thought it was a good idea 20 / 30

Many of those dolts get their first ink in Pattaya. It's like a second puberty for some, with all of the accompanying stupidity.

A Turk flying in from South America with 12 kilograms of coffee bags and chocolate in his bags. No alarm bells there.

At least his big biceps will still be getting daily workouts.

1 hour ago, Sir Dude said:

It really takes a special type of stupid to try to smuggle 12 kilos of cocaine into a country, that has the death penalty for major drug offences with famously awful prisons, through its main international airport... Darwin Awards contender.

Maybe it has worked for him in the past, and he thought he would do another run. Do you think it was his first time?

lets not be overly judgmental about all the tattoos.

if you wanna get down, down to the ground ... cocaine.

21 hours ago, Packer said:

At least his big biceps will still be getting daily workouts.

Can you smuggle steroids into Thai prisons? In America it happens.

22 hours ago, Sir Dude said:

It really takes a special type of stupid to try to smuggle 12 kilos of cocaine into a country, that has the death penalty for major drug offences with famously awful prisons, through its main international airport... Darwin Awards contender.

Absolutely.

If convicted, this person is almost certainly looking at life in a Thai prison. Cases like this rarely end with less than 20–30 years.

Not a pleasant thought!

On 6/28/2026 at 6:10 AM, flaming dragon said:

Not every man with tattoos is a criminal but the lion's share of criminals are inked up. Maybe everyone with conspicuous tattoos should be given closer scrutiny, perhaps even body cavity searches. Dogs aren't fooled by other scents that smugglers try to disguise the drugs with: dogs smell everything separately.

Thats a little old fashioned! I’ll bet your in your eighties. I’ll also bet you think all tatted girls are whores too. I have no tatts but all 5 of my kids do, no criminals or whores just people born into a different era than me!

Isn't that like smuggling tea into China? Or haggis into Scotland?

I wonder how many guys (or gals) like him are slipping through the system and never caught..

From what I can tell, drugs are easy available in Thailand.

1 hour ago, Smokey and the Bandit said:

Absolutely.

If convicted, this person is almost certainly looking at life in a Thai prison. Cases like this rarely end with less than 20–30 years.

Not a pleasant thought!

Indeed- but I have no sympathy for him

His choice and he took what he thought was an easy way to no doubt make some money

He can repent at leisure in a Thai jail I suspect for a long time

1 hour ago, Brettoj said:

Thats a little old fashioned! I’ll bet your in your eighties. I’ll also bet you think all tatted girls are whores too. I have no tatts but all 5 of my kids do, no criminals or whores just people born into a different era than me!

Same as me. 5 out of 6 have Tatts, and I don't. Dad had one also. Labeling never works on looks, as some of the most heinous individuals have no tatts and look like businessmen, while some of the nicest people I've even know have tatts.

On 6/28/2026 at 8:58 AM, jacko45k said:

This drugs situation, it's like trying to hold back the tide!

I would like to know how come the customs officers can detect drugs carried by passengers coming into Thaland but can't detect them going out of the country. Examples being the ones caught with weed in their luggage when they land back in their own country from Thailand.

On 6/28/2026 at 6:10 AM, flaming dragon said:

Not every man with tattoos is a criminal but the lion's share of criminals are inked up. Maybe everyone with conspicuous tattoos should be given closer scrutiny, perhaps even body cavity searches. Dogs aren't fooled by other scents that smugglers try to disguise the drugs with: dogs smell everything separately.

Every action has a reaction.

It wouldn’t be long before criminals started using mules that don’t have tattoos. Then customs start body cavity searching everybody without tattoos. Which may well put you in the frame for a fingering.

Maybe just stick to sniffer dogs sniffing suitcases.

1 hour ago, wavodavo said:

I would like to know how come the customs officers can detect drugs carried by passengers coming into Thaland but can't detect them going out of the country. Examples being the ones caught with weed in their luggage when they land back in their own country from Thailand.

Why would Thailand want to pay for housing prisoners when they can inform another country that a drug runner is heading their way and they can pay for their accommodation? 🙂

1 hour ago, wavodavo said:

I would like to know how come the customs officers can detect drugs carried by passengers coming into Thaland but can't detect them going out of the country. Examples being the ones caught with weed in their luggage when they land back in their own country from Thailand.

I'm sure I've read of drug smugglers being caught outward bound. But why not allow a detected consignment to go through and then inform customs at the destination country that there's a courier on the way. Less work and expense for the Thai officials.

1 hour ago, fredwiggy said:

Same as me. 5 out of 6 have Tatts, and I don't. Dad had one also. Labeling never works on looks, as some of the most heinous individuals have no tatts and look like businessmen, while some of the nicest people I've even know have tatts.

right, it really depends on what you do for living. If you are a decent business person meeting with clients it's better you don't have any visible tats. I you are a soccer player, a celebrity or show girl in Pattaya then no problem or at least not when you are young.

2 minutes ago, Ray60 said:

right, it really depends on what you do for living. If you are a decent business person meeting with clients it's better you don't have any visible tats. I you are a soccer player, a celebrity or show girl in Pattaya then no problem or at least not when you are young.

Most tatts can be hidden for most jobs, and if you have some visible, you are taking a risk trying for certain positions. There are plenty or businessmen and women who have them, but unseen while working, so it's still a matter of visibility. Can't judge them if you can' see them.

Of my hundreds of flights into Thailand from overseas, I have never once seen the drug detection dogs (K9 patrol) in action here.....unlike many airports all over the world.

Has anyone?

And the article mentions Zopiclone .....which can be bought over the counter in Hong ...and taken as an excellent sleep inducer/aid, with no after effects.

(40 years of night shifts proved that)

Why is it banned?

Hardly a party drug or "upper".

Maybe a rape drug????

But then again, even melatonin is difficult to find, although not banned as i recall.

On 6/28/2026 at 10:31 AM, Artisi said:

Oxygen removal from importers and dealers sounds like a reasonable approach.

15 years at the Hilton with no chance of parole or being sent home until ALL time served

8 hours ago, GoodieAfterDark said:

Can you smuggle steroids into Thai prisons? In America it happens.

He's not that big! You can definitely get to his mass without steroids...

He is having a bad week right now. Better get adjusted to the food buddy.