PHUKET — 9 July 2026, Customs officials and police arrested a Thai woman and a Filipino national after allegedly attempting to smuggle more than 32 kilograms of cannabis flower out of Thailand through Phuket International Airport, authorities said.
The operation was carried out by customs officers at Phuket Airport in coordination with Sakhu Police at the international departures terminal in Mai Khao Subdistrict, Thalang District.
The first arrest took place at around 11:00, when officers inspected a black Pierre Cardin suitcase belonging to Levannah Chelsea Guzman, an 18-year-old Philippine national.
Inside the luggage, officers found 14 vacuum-sealed packages containing cannabis flower with a combined weight of 14.5 kilograms, including packaging.
The suspect admitted ownership of both the suitcase and its contents, police said.
She was charged with attempting to export goods without completing customs procedures, along with offences under Thailand’s Narcotics Code, the Traditional Thai Medicine Wisdom Protection and Promotion Act, the Ministry of Public Health’s Controlled Herbs (Cannabis) Notification and other related laws.
At around 13:00, officers inspected a green SWISH NAVY suitcase belonging to Penpitcha Phutsiang, a Thai national.
The search uncovered 16 vacuum-sealed packages containing cannabis flower weighing 17.6 kilograms, including packaging.
Police said the second suspect also admitted ownership of the suitcase and the seized cannabis.
Both women were handed over to investigators at Sakhu Police Station for legal proceedings.
Authorities said the arrests form part of intensified efforts to prevent the illegal export of cannabis through Thailand’s international airports, with customs officials continuing to strengthen baggage inspections and enforcement measures.
