CHIANG RAI – A 55-year-old South Korean woman was arrested at Mae Fah Luang International Airport on January 8 after airport security discovered more than 23 kilograms of cannabis concealed in her luggage, allegedly intended for export to London.

Nigerian man, Guinean woman arrested at Bangkok airport with drugs

The arrest followed a coordinated operation involving local police, tourist police, immigration, and customs officials. During routine X-ray screening at a security checkpoint in the international departure terminal, officers detected anomalies in the woman’s suitcase. A physical inspection revealed 40 packages of cannabis flower with a total weight of 23.25 kilograms.

The suspect was immediately taken into custody and charged under the Customs Act for attempting to export cannabis out of Thailand. Authorities emphasized that while domestic cannabis regulations have evolved, exporting the substance remains illegal under Thai law.

During initial questioning, the woman reportedly stated that an acquaintance had asked her to transport the cannabis to London and claimed she was unaware that taking cannabis out of Thailand was prohibited. Police noted that such a claim does not provide legal immunity.

The case highlights intensified screening measures at Thai airports, particularly in tourist-frequented provinces, amid a rise in attempts to smuggle cannabis abroad. Law enforcement agencies have reiterated that strict penalties apply to drug export offenses, regardless of a traveler’s understanding of local regulations.

Customs and police officials credited inter-agency cooperation for the successful interception and indicated that enhanced screening and intelligence-sharing would continue on international routes, especially those bound for Europe.

Brazilian Couple Arrested at Suvarnabhumi Airport with 7.4kg of Cocaine Worth 22 Million Baht

The suspect remains in custody at Ban Du Police Station as investigators prepare the case for prosecution. Authorities are also examining possible connections to broader smuggling networks, though no additional suspects have been named.

-Thailand News (TN)