Phuket Airport Lands Record Meth Bust

[Lite Beer]

Phuket airport lands record meth bust

Customs officers at Phuket Airport show where the drugs were stashed in the luggage lining. Photo: Yodsak Jarana

The drugs weighed in at 3.2 kilos of 100% pure crystal meth - a record haul for Phuket Airport. Photo: Yodsak Jarana

PHUKET: A Thai woman was caught trying to smuggle a record 3.2 kilograms of ya ice (crystal methamphetamine) into Thailand at Phuket International Airport last night.

The haul, valued at 10.5 million baht, was touted to be the biggest meth bust in the airport's history.

The suspect, 39-year-old Ratchanee Chidnaporn, from Khon Kaen Province in Northeast Thailand (Isarn), arrived from Doha via Kuala Lumpur yesterday afternoon on Qatar Airways flight 624, said Montira Cherchoo, Director of Customs at the airport.

“The suspect was behaving suspiciously while officers were checking her bag with an x-ray machine.

Officers saw something odd in the scan and searched her luggage. They found the ya ice hidden the bag’s lining,” Ms Montira explained.

A chemical test conducted by the officers identified the substance as 100% pure crystal meth, she said.

“We suspect that she [Ratchanee] was working for one of the international drug rings that are now targeting Phuket Airport as a way of smuggling drugs into Thailand,” she said.

Ms Ratchanee, who sat through a police press conference at 10pm last night with her head covered by a denim jacket, denied any knowledge of the drugs.

“I got the luggage from a friend. I first met him about six months ago. My luggage was the small bag [placed] inside the big one. The big one had the ya ice hidden in the lining,” she said.

“My friend asked me to bring it to give to one of his friends in Thailand,” she added.

Ms Ratchanee explained that after she and her new friend had known each other for a while, he asked her to travel out of Thailand.

“He bought me a round-trip ticket,” she said.

“Before I came back to Thailand, he took my small bag and put in his big one. He asked me to bring his clothes back to Thailand.

“I had no idea what was in the luggage until I was arrested at the airport,” Ms Ratchanee said.

Ms Ratchanee was handed to Tah Chat Chai Police to be charged with possession of a Category 1 drug with intent to sell and with smuggling the drug into the country.

Tah Chat Chai Police were not convinced by Ms Ratchanee’s story.

“Her statement is suspicious. We believe she has conducted smuggling many times already.

"Police will have her take a drug test as part of the investigation,” one officer said.

Source: http://www.phuketgazette.net/_n10823

-- Phuket Gazette 2011-08-14

[Nisa]

I wonder why they smuggle meth into Thailand when it can be made in any remote area. Seems a lot more risky going through customs than making this poison in a shed on a farm.

[Bakseedaa]

I wonder why they smuggle meth into Thailand when it can be made in any remote area. Seems a lot more risky going through customs than making this poison in a shed on a farm.

Why a remote area.... you can make in a city centre apartment... preferably the top floor.. easier to find a friendly chemist ... who does not wonder why you have a constant cold...

[Thongkorn]

i am not judging her but maybe she was naive,

[ScubaBuddha]

i am not judging her but maybe she was naive,

It is always possible.

Record bust...a regular courier...she is Thai...it's possible she may be executed. Must be a very small chance of getting caught for people to risk that.

[thelinguist]

I wonder why they smuggle meth into Thailand when it can be made in any remote area. Seems a lot more risky going through customs than making this poison in a shed on a farm.

Do you really think that there are that many locals with the know how or even a brain big enough to fathom a chemical process such as cooking meth? Let's just leave them to frying chilies and meat. Something easy they know how to do that doesn't require too much brain activity. There would be houses, apartments and sheds blowing up left right and centre nationwide if these clowns were let loose with a Bunsen burner and anything other than meat and veg.

[Chris Lawrence]

I wonder why they smuggle meth into Thailand when it can be made in any remote area. Seems a lot more risky going through customs than making this poison in a shed on a farm.

Do you really think that there are that many locals with the know how or even a brain big enough to fathom a chemical process such as cooking meth? Let's just leave them to frying chilies and meat. Something easy they know how to do that doesn't require too much brain activity. There would be houses, apartments and sheds blowing up left right and centre nationwide if these clowns were let loose with a Bunsen burner and anything other than meat and veg.

You better believe it. This is a terrible drug and very addictive. I saw on the Phuket newspaper site that the suggestion was the airport does not have sniffer dogs? They could have got a couple from the 600 that went into the forest the other day? :jap:

[moe666]

You donot need a shed or apartment to cook this stuff, the police here busted a guy with it in the back of his pickup. No brains I donot think it takes a Phd to cook meth. check the people who do it,

[StrandedBusinessPerson]

Is ice that cheap in Thailand (~$100usd/gram)? Not good. This is a very bad junk, so congrats to the Airport police.

[PlastikbinLina]

Im very naive when it comes to these drugs and what they do ( I'm in my 7th decade) but can someone explain to me what it does to people, why it is worth risking very long terms of imprisonment, and why, it seems, it is so popular? I mean it has to be popular to get the demand it is apparently receiving. When I was in my teens it was very exciting just to ask for and get a packet of 10 Capstan from under the tobacconists counter.

[EJW]

Im very naive when it comes to these drugs and what they do ( I'm in my 7th decade) but can someone explain to me what it does to people, why it is worth risking very long terms of imprisonment, and why, it seems, it is so popular? I mean it has to be popular to get the demand it is apparently receiving. When I was in my teens it was very exciting just to ask for and get a packet of 10 Capstan from under the tobacconists counter.

Well, I am in my 6th decade and, from the pictures I have seen, it ravages your whole body pretty badly (do a search for before and after photos online and you will see what I mean). And it is very addictive. I suppose big money is to be made off of those who get hooked and are desperate for more.

[dude007]

I wonder why they smuggle meth into Thailand when it can be made in any remote area. Seems a lot more risky going through customs than making this poison in a shed on a farm.

That's for the next stage....

[Carl64]

Im very naive when it comes to these drugs and what they do ( I'm in my 7th decade) but can someone explain to me what it does to people, why it is worth risking very long terms of imprisonment, and why, it seems, it is so popular? I mean it has to be popular to get the demand it is apparently receiving. When I was in my teens it was very exciting just to ask for and get a packet of 10 Capstan from under the tobacconists counter.

On the emotional side it gives a feeling of confidence and power. Nothing in life is a problem. You don't need sleep or food for that matter, you are completely bullet proof. (To start with)

Physically, due to this poison, your teeth rot and fall out of your head. Your skin breaks out in sores and your hair snaps off. Your heart is under so much pressure due to your heart rate nearly doubling for an extended period of time. And then there is the nutritional problems due to thefact the appetite is suppressed considerably. But that's the easy stuff.

Mentally this drug is disasterous!

It causes psychosis and schizophrenia and is highly addictive. Combine this with no sleep and the physical side-affects and you are looking at a time bomb.

The reason why it is so attractive for smugglers, is that addicts will pay big money for this poison and there is a large worldwide market.

Congratulations for getting this junk off the streets.

Edited August 15, 2011 by Carl64

[KoratFarang]

Drung are here to stay just like alcohol and cigarets. When the goverments all over the world still are keeping them illigal the mafia can make money on the shit. What people put into there own body must be up to them. I believe it would be a good ideer to make free and put a tax on the shit, use the tax to help people to get clean.

Think about what money the goverments all over the world will save on police, people staying in jail.

If the world had to make everything killing people illigal, then think about what kind of world we would have.

All this kind of thing had to stop, many factories, nuclear plant, war, cigarets, alcohol, sex (aids), car (traffic) and there are so menmy more thing killing people, it would take me a years to finish. But you got the picture. When addult you are responseble for your life, dont blame it on others, when your a kind your mother and father are responseble to lead you in the right direction.

[Para]

What I don't understand is there have been so many airport busts recently almost all from the middle east why these cartels/gangs don't fly the cook over to Thailand and get them to make it here. Its only needs a basic chemistry understanding and whilst its is incredibly flammable at a couple of stages of the process decent ventilation solves that.

As for the suggestion of doing it in a flat they would not last 5 minutes due to the smell. A remote up country house is all that's needed with no worries/costs of mule'ing it in.

Had to laugh they have already tested the ICE to be 100% which would take a lab to do but are going to test the mule which would take a trip to the toilet!

Sure Google the before/after pictures of meth users but then take another look its always the same people. Bit like when Daniella Westbrook's nose fell apart there was only ever 1, very badly Photoshopped picture of it. The word is propaganda.

As for making you look like c_ap take a walk around Insomnia or JP's at 6am and have a look at the girls still dancing away with pure white teeth and clean skin.......

ICE is bad but yabba is a lot worse.

[tracker1]

I wonder why they smuggle meth into Thailand when it can be made in any remote area. Seems a lot more risky going through customs than making this poison in a shed on a farm.

Do you really think that there are that many locals with the know how or even a brain big enough to fathom a chemical process such as cooking meth? Let's just leave them to frying chilies and meat. Something easy they know how to do that doesn't require too much brain activity. There would be houses, apartments and sheds blowing up left right and centre nationwide if these clowns were let loose with a Bunsen burner and anything other than meat and veg.

You better believe it. This is a terrible drug and very addictive. I saw on the Phuket newspaper site that the suggestion was the airport does not have sniffer dogs? They could have got a couple from the 600 that went into the forest the other day? :jap:

I totaly agree with you dogs are the best quicker quick hits on drugs but I think they are to tasty to waste on drug detection

[tracker1]

What I don't understand is there have been so many airport busts recently almost all from the middle east why these cartels/gangs don't fly the cook over to Thailand and get them to make it here. Its only needs a basic chemistry understanding and whilst its is incredibly flammable at a couple of stages of the process decent ventilation solves that.

As for the suggestion of doing it in a flat they would not last 5 minutes due to the smell. A remote up country house is all that's needed with no worries/costs of mule'ing it in.

Had to laugh they have already tested the ICE to be 100% which would take a lab to do but are going to test the mule which would take a trip to the toilet!

Sure Google the before/after pictures of meth users but then take another look its always the same people. Bit like when Daniella Westbrook's nose fell apart there was only ever 1, very badly Photoshopped picture of it. The word is propaganda.

As for making you look like c_ap take a walk around Insomnia or JP's at 6am and have a look at the girls still dancing away with pure white teeth and clean skin.......

ICE is bad but yabba is a lot worse.

Ice is pure crystal meth Yabba is a mix of starch caffine and crystal meth .Yabba ice is 90% purity upwards of crystal meth. Yabba tablets contain 14-22% crystal meth in 1 tablet. You be the judge which is worse ! both as bad as one another This information is from a very reliable source

[Para]

What I don't understand is there have been so many airport busts recently almost all from the middle east why these cartels/gangs don't fly the cook over to Thailand and get them to make it here. Its only needs a basic chemistry understanding and whilst its is incredibly flammable at a couple of stages of the process decent ventilation solves that.

As for the suggestion of doing it in a flat they would not last 5 minutes due to the smell. A remote up country house is all that's needed with no worries/costs of mule'ing it in.

Had to laugh they have already tested the ICE to be 100% which would take a lab to do but are going to test the mule which would take a trip to the toilet!

Sure Google the before/after pictures of meth users but then take another look its always the same people. Bit like when Daniella Westbrook's nose fell apart there was only ever 1, very badly Photoshopped picture of it. The word is propaganda.

As for making you look like c_ap take a walk around Insomnia or JP's at 6am and have a look at the girls still dancing away with pure white teeth and clean skin.......

ICE is bad but yabba is a lot worse.

Ice is pure crystal meth Yabba is a mix of starch caffine and crystal meth .Yabba ice is 90% purity upwards of crystal meth. Yabba tablets contain 14-22% crystal meth in 1 tablet. You be the judge which is worse ! both as bad as one another This information is from a very reliable source

tracker1 there is a hell of a lot more in yabba that just caffeine and meth I read a lab report on what really makes up yabba and it was bad. Also the ratio of meth to caffeine varies on the type of yabba anything from 90% meth/10% caffeine down to 20%meth/80% caffeine. That said I agree they both very addictive and dangerous drugs.

There is no such thing as yabba ice as yabba is actually 2 words ya meaning drug and ba meaning crazy. It was actually called ya-maa or horse drug as it enablesd people to work longer and harder and was up till 1975 legally available in shops. Thaksin changed the name to crazy drug during his 'war on drugs'

IMO the relatively sudden rise in ICE seizures/users is because of the way its ingested. I know they are both smoked but yabba is easy to associate with heroin and chasing the dragon off tin foil where as ICE usage is slightly more cleaner which has caused it to cross over to the BKK HiSo circle hence the increased demand.

[meom]

What I don't understand is there have been so many airport busts recently almost all from the middle east why these cartels/gangs don't fly the cook over to Thailand and get them to make it here. Its only needs a basic chemistry understanding and whilst its is incredibly flammable at a couple of stages of the process decent ventilation solves that.

One of the main ingredients required to make Ice is pseudo ephedrine which I think is more easily available in some ME countries such as Iran & Syria.

In Thailand pure pseudo ephedrine is not that easy to get so you are basically restricted to extract it from cough medicine. That's ok if you want to produce small quantities but if you're into cooking kilos of the stuff you'll need a whole network of people who get you the cough tablets because each tablet contains only a couple of mg of pseudo ephedrine.

Much easier to make it in a place where the raw ingredients are more easy available.

[Para]

What I don't understand is there have been so many airport busts recently almost all from the middle east why these cartels/gangs don't fly the cook over to Thailand and get them to make it here. Its only needs a basic chemistry understanding and whilst its is incredibly flammable at a couple of stages of the process decent ventilation solves that.

One of the main ingredients required to make Ice is pseudo ephedrine which I think is more easily available in some ME countries such as Iran & Syria.

In Thailand pure pseudo ephedrine is not that easy to get so you are basically restricted to extract it from cough medicine. That's ok if you want to produce small quantities but if you're into cooking kilos of the stuff you'll need a whole network of people who get you the cough tablets because each tablet contains only a couple of mg of pseudo ephedrine.

Much easier to make it in a place where the raw ingredients are more easy available.

Totally agree Eph is pretty much banned in most countries unlike a few years ago when I used to buy it as a supplement for working out. It is incredible easy to buy pseudo here I knew of a chemist that would sell 10,000 tablets at a time without question repeats as often as needed. You dont have to find too many similar chemists and you have the precursor to make kg's of the stuff.

I remember a few years back a container ship was en-route to North Korea and was stopped and searched they found tons of Eph on board. The governments answer was it was being used to make cold medicine. There was enough Eph on there to take care of everyone in the country for 5 years. Me thinks it was being used for something else......