PHUKET, Thailand: A 30 year old Russian man has been arrested at Phuket International Airport after authorities allegedly caught him attempting to smuggle more than 17.6 kilograms of cannabis products out of Thailand.
The arrest took place on July 8 inside the international departures terminal as the suspect prepared to board a flight from Phuket to Almaty, Kazakhstan.
According to Thai Customs, officers became suspicious of two blue suitcases during routine screening and carried out a detailed inspection.
Inside the luggage, officers found 35 vacuum sealed packages of cannabis flower weighing a total of 11.4 kilograms. The packages had been concealed inside snack bags in an apparent attempt to avoid detection.
A further search uncovered 12 packages of cannabis resin weighing 6.2 kilograms, hidden inside laundry detergent pouches.
The total seizure amounted to 17.6 kilograms of cannabis products with an estimated market value of more than 9.5 million baht.
During questioning, the suspect reportedly admitted ownership of both suitcases and all of the seized items. He was taken into custody and transferred, along with the evidence, to investigators at Sakhu Police Station for legal action.
Although Thailand has eased restrictions on cannabis in recent years, exporting cannabis and cannabis products remains tightly regulated.
Anyone wishing to export cannabis must obtain approval from the relevant authorities and comply with Thai customs laws, regulations governing controlled herbal products, and the country’s narcotics legislation.
Cannabis extracts containing THC above the legal limit remain classified as a Category 5 narcotic under Thai law. Attempting to export such products without authorisation carries criminal penalties as well as offences under customs legislation.
The Russian national has been charged with attempting to export goods without completing customs clearance and attempting to export a Category 5 narcotic, namely cannabis extract, from Thailand without permission.
Thai Customs has stepped up inspections at airports following a steady rise in attempts to smuggle cannabis overseas. Authorities say foreign tourists have increasingly used Thailand as a transit point for trafficking cannabis to destinations across Europe and Central Asia, with many cases involving drugs concealed in checked baggage.
The investigation remains ongoing.
