A man of Russian nationality was apprehended in Hua Hin following the discovery of illegal substances within his residence.
The arrest ensued subsequent to the interception of a package containing 840 grams of mephedrone on June 24, as detailed by Pol Lt Gen Panurat Lakboon, the secretary-general of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB), on Saturday. The suspect’s identity was not disclosed.
Upon examination, customs authorities determined that the parcel in question, dispatched from Poland, contained capsules filled with a light brown powder. Subsequent laboratory analysis by the ONCB confirmed the substance to be mephedrone, classified as a Category 1 controlled drug. Mephedrone acts as a nerve stimulant and exhibits psychedelic properties akin to methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), commonly referred to as ecstasy.
Pol Lt Gen Panurat noted that mephedrone had been previously identified by the ONCB five years ago and could potentially serve as a constituent in a synthetic stimulant recognized as bath salts.
Following an extensive inquiry, the Russian individual was apprehended upon attempting to retrieve the package on Friday.
A search conducted at his domicile in tambon Thab Tai unveiled an assortment of narcotics in varying quantities. These included 14 grams of methamphetamine, 290 grams of MDMA, 149 ecstasy tablets, 67 lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) stamps, 506 grams of cocaine, 609 grams of ketamine, and 300 grams of mephedrone.
Law enforcement officials asserted that the apprehended individual was responsible for receiving parcels containing illicit substances from overseas. Subsequently, these packages were stored in his residence before being dispatched to specified destinations under the directives of the purported mastermind orchestrating the smuggling scheme.
The suspect purportedly indicated that he received remuneration in the form of digital currencies.
Pol Lt Gen Panurat emphasized an emerging trend involving the smuggling of newer drug varieties into Thailand via parcels originating from the United States and European nations. Specifically, candies infused with narcotics and “happy water,” denoting an illicit drug blend, were first smuggled into the country in 2021 and were initially unearthed in Bangkok and Chon Buri.
