BANGKOK — Immigration Police Investigation Division Deputy Commander Pol. Col. Ratachot Chotikun announced the arrest of several Vietnamese nationals involved in two connected cases – a human trafficking scheme and an illegal cannabis operation. Authorities seized over 300 kilograms of cannabis flower from a house in Bangkok.
The case began on January 22 when a Vietnamese woman sought help at an Immigration checkpoint at Suvarnabhumi Airport by showing officers a message on her phone stating she was deceived into entering Thailand and was being forced to travel to Myanmar.
Further investigation revealed she was initially lured by someone named “Sam” on Facebook who promised her work in Manila, Philippines. Upon arrival in the Philippines, she discovered it was a scam involving online gambling operations. The Chinese scammer had also deceived about five other Vietnamese nationals using the same fake Facebook account.
At the Thai airport, the woman noticed two Chinese nationals coordinating travel arrangements to Mae Sot district in Tak province, planning to cross the border into Myanmar. She alerted airport officials by showing them a typed message requesting assistance.
Police detained four Vietnamese nationals while one had already entered the kingdom. The suspect did not travel to Mae Sot as expected, likely due to heightened border security measures. The two Chinese coordinators had already departed for China. Continued surveillance of the remaining Vietnamese suspect led authorities to a house in Soi Ladprao 107.
With a court-issued search warrant, officers raided the property and found seven foreign nationals along with over 300 kilograms of cannabis flowers valued at 10,000 baht ($300) per kilogram, totaling more than 3 million baht.
Seven Vietnamese nationals were arrested in the operation: Mr. Anh Vu (26), Mr. Manh Dung (27), Mr. Tien Duy (21), Mr. Lam Nhat (25), Mrs. Thi Linh (20), Mr. Minh Hieu (26), and Mr. Thanh Hung (28).
All suspects were charged with unauthorized commercial distribution and processing of controlled herbs under the Protection and Promotion of Traditional Thai Medicine Wisdom Act, as well as working in Thailand without proper permits. The case has been transferred to Ladprao Police Station investigators.
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