Thailand

Justice Minister says Thailand is a major transit point in the illicit drug trade

Published

4 days ago

Wednesday, June 9, 2021

Tanutam Thawan

Photo via Facebook/ Justice Ministry

Thailand is a major transit point in the transnational illicit drug trade, particularly crystal methamphetamine and heroin, with many routes destined for various countries, according to Justice Minister Somsak Thepsuthin.

Due to the strict penalties for illegal drug production, Thailand is rarely used as a base to produce methamphetamine and heroin, the minister says. Most of the drugs are produced in Myanmar near the Golden Triangle, an area notorious for transnational drug trade where Thailand, Myanmar and Laos meet.

The drugs trafficked through Thailand end up in various countries around the world including China, Macau, Taiwan, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Singapore, Israel, New Zealand, Australia, Norway, Russia, the UK and the US.

Recent busts in Australia and South Korea involving drugs trafficked from Thailand prompted the Justice Ministry to announce that it is now working with foreign agencies to investigate transnational drug trafficking operations with routes in Thailand.

In Australia last month, more than 300 kilograms of methamphetamine valued at 2.29 billion baht was seized from a Thai cargo ship at a port in Sydney. Australian Border Force searched the shipment and found the methamphetamine hidden inside electronic water heaters and barbecue grills.

In another recent bust, a Thai man was arrested in South Korea after authorities at Seoul’s Incheon Airport found more than 4 kilograms of methamphetamine hidden in protein supplements smuggled on a flight from Thailand.

SOURCE: National News Bureau of Thailand

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11 Comments

EdwardV

Wednesday, June 9, 2021 at 12:49 pm

Capt. Louis Renault: I’m shocked, shocked to find that gambling is going on in here! Emil the Croupier: Your winnings, sir.

Reply
Ynwaps

Wednesday, June 9, 2021 at 2:31 pm

But but what about all the pictures of busts we had? I thought we’re safu

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Jesus Monore

Wednesday, June 9, 2021 at 3:22 pm

This guy only worked that out now…….wake up b$#% it’s been going on for years……

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Rose Jefferies

Wednesday, June 9, 2021 at 4:06 pm

OMG!!! REeeeeeeaaaaaaallllllllyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!! The country with THE reputation for being the “toughest” when it comes to drugs is…. well, failing miserably!!

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sydneyB

Wednesday, June 9, 2021 at 5:03 pm

As bad as it may be, it doesn’t come close to the likes of Columbia or Peru. Vast dedicated drug busting teams at all airports confiscating literally tonnes of cocaine annually.

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J West

Wednesday, June 9, 2021 at 5:21 pm

With a standing minister who himself was central to a Thailand-Australia heroin smuggling-trafficking racket which resulted in his incarceration in Australia for four years after conviction. That sets the standard with the zero prostitution claim .

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Ktb

Wednesday, June 9, 2021 at 6:04 pm

I watched the FBI and other agencies arresting white men all over the world contrary to the lies of white men saying blacks are into drug dealing everywhere , now we know the real bosses r mofos white orangutans, they’re into fraud , drugs , paedos.

The only thing they’re good at is lying about low hanging fruits, even when we know the real criminals are whites orangutans, I’ve never seen a white man before they call themselves whites lol, they forgot there father Bernie maddoff lol , DJt , all criminals.

As soon as a small Chinese, black , Indian drug peddler does wrong they all come out posting racist things about them , lol , now you wont fine 4 pages of their nonsense. Lol

An American or European kills 20 innocent people then you here MENTAL HEALTH bullshit lols , white orangutans, I hate them with a passion .

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Serpentine

Wednesday, June 9, 2021 at 9:40 pm

@sydneyB: A slight correction, Columbia is not a country. The name is Colombia.
Anyway, very funny that the country finally discovered that it is being used as a transit hub. Next: Turtles walk very slow.

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The0ne

Wednesday, June 9, 2021 at 10:06 pm

It’s Thailand and latin America (Columbia)…what is new? The only new I can see is that both have grown, especially in Latin America and Mexico as seen by Cartels running the show.

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Karsten

Thursday, June 10, 2021 at 8:32 am

And the top of the list country in the picture is…. SURPRISE SURPRISE; I S R A E L!!!
The mother of illegal immigration, nest of criminality, cradle of terrorism and the bonnet ornament of murdering!

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sam

Thursday, June 10, 2021 at 6:59 pm

He forgot to mention that drug taking is common in the country,such as yaa baa that had killed many motorcyclists returning home for the New Year and Songkran annually.

Reply