Men arrested at Bangkok airport for allegedly smuggling drugs valued at 95 million baht

Two Pakistani men were arrested at Suvarnabhumi Airport on Monday for allegedly trafficking 30.6 kilograms of ketamine and 1.1 kilograms of heroin hidden in instant tea packages. Officers say the drugs had a street value of 95 million baht.

The two residents of Karachi, who travelled to Thailand by an Emirates flight through the United Arab Emirates, were arrested for allegedly smuggling the drugs by passing through the green channel, which is for travellers with no items to declare, according to Customs Department Director-General Pachara Anantasilp.

The narcotics were found stashed in their luggage as instant tea sachets, which were claimed not to be found in Karachi or Dubai airports until they arrived in Thailand. Pachara said the two airports may have missed the haul because they were more concerned with firearms and other risky materials.

Though drug smuggling via air travel has decreased during the Covid-19 outbreak, it has begun to ramp up again now that Thailand is gradually reopening. The Customs Department has been randomly inspecting passengers’ luggage as they arrive and depart.

According to National Thailand, since October of last year, 202 people have been arrested for attempting to transport drugs valued at a total of 8.5 billion baht.

SOURCE: The Nation Thailand