Busted! British man’s ‘high’-risk trip lands him in Krabi trouble
A British tourist caught at Krabi Airport with a whopping 38 kilos of cannabis in his suitcase has been named and faces a decade-long stretch behind bars for his colossal weed blunder.
Daniel James Hallett, from Hull, is staring at up to 10 years in a Thai prison after his arrest for allegedly attempting to smuggle cannabis through the airport while trying to board a flight back to London.
The 38 year old alleged drug dealer was nabbed by Krabi customs officials at 11.50pm, on Saturday, March 8, after his luggage raised suspicions during routine security checks. Further inspection allegedly revealed 35 vacuum-sealed packages of cannabis flowers, cunningly wrapped in double-layered bags to mask the telltale scent.
Hallett, a former haulage company boss, was snapped looking crestfallen at the airport, wearing a Turn To Starboard charity t-shirt and standing by two massive suitcases purportedly loaded with the illegal stash.
Krabi immigration officers seized the cannabis, and Hallett was whisked off to Nua Khlong District Police Station for further legal proceedings. His case remains under investigation as officers meticulously review evidence related to the smuggling attempt.
Charged with violating the Thai Customs Act and laws on controlled herbs, Hallett could face up to 10 years in the slammer if found guilty.
Police Colonel Apichat Jinaphen, head of the Nuea Khlong Police Station, highlighted the severity of the case.
“Although cannabis is not illegal in Thailand, importing or exporting it without permission is against the law. Mr Daniel was arrested for attempting to export goods without customs clearance, violating the Customs Act and Traditional Thai Medicine Protection and Promotion Act regarding controlled herbs for commercial purposes.
“Mr Daniel was held at the station for two days before court proceedings. The penalty could include imprisonment for up to ten years, a fine, or both, in addition to the confiscation of the seized items.”
With Thai airports ramping up security amidst a wave of recent smuggling attempts, police and immigration officers in Thailand are urging tourists to heed local cannabis laws.
While marijuana is legal and readily available in Thailand, exporting it is strictly off-limits.
The British man’s arrest is the latest in a long line of cannabis smuggling cases involving foreigners over the past year.
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