Human trafficking and drugs suspects nabbed using airport biometrics

2 suspects have recently been arrested using the biometric security system recently installed in international airports across Thailand. In the first case, a suspected human trafficker was apprehended after returning to Thailand during the Covid-19 crisis. Immigration officers received information from Chiang Mai police about a person travelling into Thailand from Japan.

On July 14, a Thai citizen returned to the Kingdom on flight JL031. At immigration the biometric system revealed that the person had an arrest warrant issued by the Chiang Mai Court on charges related to human trafficking. Immigration officers had no power to arrest the suspect as the case was under the jurisdiction of Chiang Mai police. Officials detained the man while he was in state quarantine for 14 days. Chiang Mai police arrested him as he left quarantine.

In the second case, immigration officers arrested a suspect for drug distribution at Bbangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport. A detective notified authorities of a plan to move narcotics from Bangkok to Udon Thani province. Officials kept an eye out for someone matching the suspect’s description, and a man was spotted.

Officials verified his identity using the biometric system and demanded to search his belongings. His suitcase was X-rayed and a suspicious box was seen inside. The suspect opened the suitcase and inside were 37 methamphetamine pills hidden in a cigarette packet.

SOURCE: Thai Residents | INN