A South African man has been arrested at Suvarnabhumi Airport after Thai customs officers seized 17.53 kilogrammes of heroin concealed inside food and supplement packaging during a transit journey to Madagascar. The drugs, with an estimated value of 7.3 million baht, were discovered as part of intensified efforts to prevent Thailand being used as a transit hub for international drug trafficking.

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Customs Department Director-General Phanthong Loykulnan said the operation followed a government policy led by Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Dr Ekniti Nitithanprapas, who have made drug prevention and suppression a national priority. The policy includes stricter enforcement measures to stop transnational trafficking networks from using Thailand as a transit country.

As part of the enhanced strategy, the Customs Department has strengthened inspections of passengers and baggage at airports, border checkpoints and postal facilities across the country.

On 9 July 2026, officers from the Customs Investigation and Suppression Division, working with the Airport Interdiction Task Force (AITF), identified a high-risk passenger through intelligence analysis. The traveller had arrived from Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Malaysia, transited through Suvarnabhumi Airport, and was due to continue to Addis Ababa in Ethiopia before reaching Ivato International Airport in Madagascar.

The operation was divided into two teams. One team examined the passenger’s checked baggage at the Transfer Baggage Terminal after X-ray images revealed suspicious contents, while a second team located the passenger and escorted him, together with his luggage, for a detailed inspection before boarding his onward flight.

Officers found heroin hidden inside packets of coffee, green tea and several brands of dietary supplements. Chemical testing using ONCB051 Marquis Reagent produced a purple colour, confirming the substance was Category 1 heroin. Authorities seized a total of 17.53 kilogrammes, including packaging.

The suspect was taken into custody and handed to investigators for legal proceedings. Authorities said the alleged offence involved importing a Category 1 narcotic into Thailand, in violation of the Customs Act B.E. 2560 and the Narcotics Code. Investigators are also expanding their inquiry to identify other members of the trafficking network in Thailand and overseas.

AEC10News reported that Phanthong said the arrest demonstrated the effectiveness of the Customs Department’s risk analysis and close cooperation between agencies in disrupting international drug trafficking. He added that the department remained committed to preventing Thailand from being used as a transit route and to protecting society from the threat of illegal drugs.

Pictures courtesy of AEC10News

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11 July 2026

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