Joint Operation: Foreign Smugglers Caught at Koh Samui Airport
KOH SAMUI, Thailand – A major drug-smuggling operation was foiled at Koh Samui Airport when a group of foreign nationals was caught attempting to smuggle 144 kilograms of cannabis to London and Singapore.
The five suspects were intercepted at 6 p.m. on March 12 by Bo Phut Police, customs officers, and airport security. Just moments before boarding their flights, an X-ray scan detected suspicious packages inside their seven suitcases, prompting an immediate search that uncovered the illicit cargo.
Carefully Planned Operation
Police Colonel Den Duang Thongsrisuk, Superintendent of Bo Phut Police Station, confirmed that the smuggling attempt was meticulously orchestrated. The suspects had received the cannabis-filled suitcases from a Thai accomplice and were promised payment upon successful delivery.
- Siemaszkiewicz and McMahon – Staying at the Nature Samui Hotel, these suspects received four suitcases containing 85.34 kg of cannabis, allegedly destined for London. They were reportedly offered a fee to clear their debts in the UK.
- Adefila and Fakuade – Each woman was handed a suitcase packed with 35.8 kg of cannabis to be transported to London. Their payment for the job was set at £2,000 (approximately 87,000 baht).
- Chin – The only suspect traveling to Singapore, he was caught carrying 22.8 kg of cannabis in a vacuum-sealed suitcase. If successful, he was promised 6,000 ringgit (around 45,000 baht).
Authorities revealed that a Thai man, whose identity remains undisclosed, had provided the suitcases to the suspects before their departure.
Legal Action and Ongoing Investigation
Bo Phut Police and Koh Samui Customs officers have seized all evidence and charged the suspects under Section 242 of the Customs Act 2017, along with Sections 166, 167, and 252. They face serious charges for attempted illegal exportation, which carries heavy penalties under Thai law.
The investigation is ongoing, with authorities working to track down the Thai supplier and uncover any links to a larger trafficking network. This high-profile bust highlights Thailand’s strict drug laws and serves as a warning to traffickers attempting to exploit the country’s relaxed cannabis regulations for illegal exports.
