KOH SAMUI — In a major drug bust at Samui Island Airport, authorities have apprehended four more British nationals attempting to smuggle dried cannabis out of Thailand. This latest arrest comes after five British citizens were already detained earlier this week for similar offenses.
A joint operation involving Surat Thani Immigration Police, Samui Customs, Bo Phut Police Station, Samui District officials, and the Internal Security Operations Command Region 4 led to the arrest of the four foreign suspects and the seizure of eight travel suitcases containing cannabis weighing a total of 131 kilograms.
The arrested individuals, all British nationals, have been identified as:
- Mr. Antony, 63, caught with two suitcases containing 29 kg of cannabis
- Mr. Billy, 37, caught with two suitcases containing 34 kg of cannabis
- Mr. Philld, 63, caught with two suitcases containing 34 kg of cannabis
- Mr. John, 34, caught with two suitcases containing 34 kg of cannabis
According to investigators, the suspects attempted to smuggle the cannabis out of Thailand after checking in with their airline, but customs officials discovered the illegal substance in all of their luggage. Authorities then requested the four individuals to open their suitcases to confirm the contents.
All four have been charged with attempting to export goods without passing through proper customs procedures and violating the Protection and Promotion of Thai Traditional Medicine Knowledge Act and the Ministry of Public Health’s announcement on controlled herbs (cannabis). They have been taken into custody at Bo Phut Police Station.
During questioning, the suspects confessed they were hired from abroad to pose as tourists in Thailand for the purpose of transporting cannabis out of the country. Their employers allegedly arranged their travel tickets and accommodations. The suspects had arrived in Thailand at Suvarnabhumi Airport, then traveled to Samui where they received suitcases pre-packed with cannabis. They were attempting to leave from Samui Airport to Singapore before connecting to their final destination in the United Kingdom.
The suspects claimed they would have received payment of 2,000 pounds each (nearly $2,600) upon successful completion, with some also having their overseas debts cleared by their employers.
This week alone, authorities have seized a total of 375 kg of cannabis from 22 suitcases. Had the drugs reached their destination country, they could have been worth up to 200,000 baht (nearly $6,000) per kilogram, with the entire haul potentially valued at nearly 750 million baht (approximately $22.4 million) – a figure lucrative enough to tempt smugglers to risk breaking the law.
Relevant authorities are now working together to intensify efforts to block cannabis smuggling operations in the area and prevent further trafficking attempts. An investigation is ongoing to identify the employers and other individuals involved within Thailand.
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