SUVARNABHUMI — Thai authorities arrested a 71-year-old Latvian man attempting to smuggle approximately 3 kilograms of heroin through Suvarnabhumi Airport while in transit from Laos to Malaysia.
The Investigation and Suppression Division at Suvarnabhumi Airport under the Customs Department received intelligence reports about a suspected drug smuggler planning to use Thailand as a transit route. Officials coordinated with immigration authorities at Suvarnabhumi Airport to conduct a joint inspection.
The suspect, identified as Guntars, a 71-year-old Latvian national, arrived from Laos on flight TG571 at 3:20 PM on June 22, with plans to connect to Malaysia on flight TG417 departing at 4:40 PM.
During the baggage search, authorities discovered a red canvas bag containing what appeared to be a camping stretcher. Hidden within the metal tubes of the stretcher frame were 47 packages of a sausage-like substance wrapped in brown plastic. Laboratory testing confirmed the material was heroin weighing approximately 3 kilograms.
During initial questioning, the suspect provided no cooperation. Speaking only Russian with no English communication ability, investigators suspect he collected the drugs from Laos, noting that while he had no checked luggage on his outbound journey, he returned with a 9-kilogram checked bag.
The suspect has been transferred to the Investigation and Suppression Division of the Customs Department for prosecution.
Police Major General Choengron Rimpadee, Commander of Immigration Division 2, stated that operations involve coordination and support with related agencies to prevent and suppress criminal activities, particularly targeting foreigners who use Thailand as an origin, transit, or destination point for transnational crimes.
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