Thai Customs Confiscate Record Ketamine Haul Worth US$ 5.5M At Bangkok Suvarnabhumi

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Thai police confiscate record ketamine haul at Suvarnabhumi

BANGKOK (TNA)-- Two Indian suspects were apprehended at Suvarnabhumi Airport for the attempted smuggling to Thailand of 63kg ketamine, known as 'K', worth Bt180 million (US$5.5 million).

According to Thai Customs officials, the seizure of the drugs was the biggest since the airport opened for service in 2006.

Chakraborty Joy, 30, and Roy Abhijit, 28, were arrested while loading ketamine hidden in 10 boxes for X-ray having declared the boxes as containing glassware.

However, customs officials found the two men suspicious, for the cartons were heavier than their declared weight and had uneven colours. Officials used an iron rod to pierce the boxes and discovered ketamine flowing out from there. Inside the containers, black plastic, carbon paper, and zinc were used to wrap cover the drugs so as to deceive the authorities.

According to the investigation, the suspects confessed to smuggling the drug from Kolkata on a Jet Airways flight with six others from their gang. Police are currently searching for further arrest and press charges against the others.

Last October, Thai Customs officials arrested another 'K' smuggler with the total drug seizure of 73.20 kg, including this time. (TNA)

-- TNA 2010-06-16

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Thai customs seize 5.6 million dollars of ketamine

BANGKOK (AFP) -- Thai customs have charged two Indian men for allegedly trying to smuggle ketamine with a street value of 5.6 million dollars into the country, officials said Wednesday.

The find represents the biggest drugs bust at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi airport since it was opened in 2006.

Chakraborty Joy, 30, and Roy Abhijit, 28, were arrested with 63 kilos (139 pounds) of the drug on Tuesday after they arrived on a Jet Airways flight from Kolkata.

Authorities said the pair attempted to pass through customs with 10 brown cardboard packages containing glassware.

Officials became suspicious of the unusually heavy packets and on examination discovered the contraband substance hidden in secret compartments.

Both men have said they did not know the boxes they were transporting contained narcotics. They face up to 20 years in jail if convicted.

Ketamine, which goes by the street name 'Special K', is a tranquiliser most commonly used on animals, but has become popular among drug users in Thailand and other countries in recent years.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2010-06-16

[gotlost]

Slum dogs go down again.

[Boater]

10 boxes !!! .... where they crazy

Why did they not travel 1st class to avoid suspision? ... any customers officer would be suspect with someone carry through 10 boxes !,

[hazz]

I suppose its a case of "in a penny in for a pound". Given the punishments for smuggling in this country, you might as well smuggle supersize if you are foolish enough to do it at all

I think ketamine has been a popular drug for a very very long time

[thaicbr]

also this may be linked to the ketamine bust a few days ago of the father and son dealers. bet they got a lower sentence now.

[londonthai]

"the suspects confessed to smuggling the drug from Kolkata on a Jet Airways flight with six others from their gang. Police are currently searching for further arrest and press charges against the others."

...

"Both men have said they did not know the boxes they were transporting contained narcotics."

contradicting statements.

strange, that the other 6 did not pick up their box and left all of them to just 2. Looks, like those 2 were set up and really did know what is inside.

Edited June 16, 2010 by londonthai

[neverdie]

20 years of fish head soup and not a papadum in sight. Hard time indeed.

[chainarong]

10 boxes !!! .... where they crazy

Why did they not travel 1st class to avoid suspision? ... any customers officer would be suspect with someone carry through 10 boxes !,

They intended returning 1st class, after migrating to England or was that Australia.