Police seize 2kg of ice hidden in tamarind jars bound for Japan

Bangkok police have seized 2.059kg of crystal methamphetamine, known locally as ice, hidden inside six jars of tamarind pulp that were due to be sent to Japan. A 50-year-old Thai man, identified only as Somphong, was later arrested over an allegation of involvement in a transnational criminal organisation.

The package was allegedly arranged through a Facebook account using the name "Chayamin Pai", which contacted a courier offering to carry goods from Thailand to Japan.

On 4 July 2026, the Facebook user hired a rider to deliver a cardboard box to The Trust Residence Pinklao on Borommaratchachonnani Road, Arun Amarin, Bangkok Noi district.

Courier found hidden packages

The box contained six jars of liquid tamarind pulp, along with 12 other types of goods including instant noodles, sweets, jelly, dried coconut, snacks, seasonings, peanut butter and herbal inhalers.

The courier, Ms Patchanan, had been contacted while she was in Prachuap Khiri Khan on 3 July. She returned to the residence on 6 July to prepare for travel to Japan and opened the box the following day after becoming suspicious that the tamarind jars were unusually heavy.

She found tamarind pulp at the top of each 1,500-gram jar, with solid white objects wrapped in clear plastic beneath it. The six suspected drug packages weighed about 331.3g, 341.1g, 354.5g, 413.1g, 318.4g and 300.6g respectively.

Ms Patchanan put the contents back, returned the box to its original location beneath the building, travelled to Japan, and came back to Thailand on 11 July. She alerted police on 13 July.

Police opened the 40cm by 60cm box and tested the substances, which indicated methamphetamine. The drugs were seized as evidence.

Suspect says Vietnamese girlfriend used his accounts

At 10pm on 16 July, Metropolitan Police Bureau narcotics officers and investigators arrested Somphong at a house in Bueng Sanan, Thanyaburi, Nakhon Nayok. The operation was ordered by Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioner Major General Theeradet Thamsuthee, who oversees narcotics work.

Pictures courtesy of Matichon

Somphong told investigators that he has been in a relationship with a Vietnamese woman called Mali for more than a year. He said he had allowed her to use two of his bank accounts because she was a foreign national and it was more convenient.

He told police that Mali is currently in Vietnam and had said she would return next month. Officers believe the Vietnamese national may be linked to arranging drug couriers and are continuing their investigation.

The case has been passed to Bang Yi Khan Police Station. Police have also filed a complaint against an unidentified suspect over alleged possession of Category 1 narcotics for sale, for commercial purposes and in circumstances alleged to have led to public distribution.

For foreign residents, visitors and travellers carrying goods overseas, the case is a reminder to inspect every item personally. Sealed packages, food jars and gifts from people not known to the traveller can conceal illegal items and create serious problems at airport checks.

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17 July 2026

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