Thai Police Arrest Indian For Trafficking 22 Kilos Heroin Worth Us$435,000

[webfact]

Thai police arrest Indian for heroin trafficking

BANGKOK, March 9, 2011 (AFP) - Police in Thailand on Wednesday arrested an Indian man on suspicion of trafficking a large amount of heroin, an offence that carries a maximum punishment of death, an official said.

Police said they found 22 kilos (48 pounds) of pure grade heroin in the bag of the 29-year-old, who was detained after a tip-off while attempting to travel on a bus between Bangkok and the southern city of Hat Yai.

He was charged with possession of heroin for the purpose of trafficking.

The confiscated drugs are worth about $435,000 dollars in the local market but could fetch significantly more overseas, police said.

Police said he has confessed he planned to smuggle the drugs to Malaysia.

"He was hired by a Malaysian man who promised to pay him 30,000 baht ($1,000) per trip," provincial police commander Major General Wichean Tantawiriya told reporters.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2011-03-09

[jimbeam1]

Oh well another decent bust. Police acting on a tip off. So an even larger quantity slipped through un hindered.

Pity he didn't make it to Malaysia though.

jb1

[Buchholz]

Police said they found 22 kilos (48 pounds) of pure grade heroin in the bag of the 29-year-old

With such a small quantity, I'm sure it was just for personal use and that he wasn't really trafficking.

[rotary]

I often wonder when I see so called "Tourist"in the airport from certain places who really appear to not have the financial means to be Tourist. I am sure lots of this goes on. It looks like the airport customs would catch lots more than they do to me. I know this guy was on a bus but airports are full of smugglers I am sure.

Just my opinion.

[Colabamumbai]

Originating in Thailand, Burma, or Afghanistan???

[webfact]

Police Nab Indian Smuggling Heroin to Hat Yai

Authorities in Prachuab Kirikan province have arrested an Indian man attempting to smuggle 20 kilograms of heroin, believed to be worth more than 1 billion baht.

Meanwhile, Phitsanulok provincial police are conducting an investigation following yesterday's seizure of 2 million methamphetamine pills and a large quantity of crystal meth.

Prachuab Kirikan Governor Veera Sriwattanatrakul along with the Provincial Police Chief, Police Major General Wichien Tantawiriya announced the arrest of 29 year old Ahmed Siyid from India, who was traveling on a passenger bus from Bangkok to Songkhla's Hat Yai district, the largest municipality in the South.

Police found in his luggage 22 kilograms of heroin which is believed to be worth more than 1.3 billion baht if smuggled across the border.

The suspect confessed that he was delivering the shipment to a major Malaysian client in Hat Yai.

Meanwhile, in Phitsanulok's Chattrakan district, provincial police and border officials used police dogs to sweep the perimeter around Chattrakan – Phu Soidao Road, where authorities were able to intercept a pick-up truck and seize more than 2 million methamphetamine pills and over a hundred kilograms of crystal meth, commonly known as 'Ice'.

Police discovered 12 small bags of methamphetamine pills and 2 kilograms of Ice stored in an air-sealed container during their sweep and have dispatched additional police dogs, as authorities suspect more illicit drugs are hidden in the area.

Following a more thorough sweep, an additional total of 20 kilograms of Ice was discovered.

All narcotics have been bagged and stored as evidence at Chattrakan Provincial Police Bureau.

Authorities believe this drug ring has been smuggling narcotics from neighboring countries and storing the shipments in the province.

However, strict narcotics suppression policy pressured the smugglers to move their shipment quickly, which made them vulnerable to be intercepted by the police.

Chattrakan Provincial Police is coordinating an effort with the Third Army Region to gather intelligence on drug-smuggling activities in the area and track down suspects.

-- Tan Network 2011-03-10