Nakhon Phanom —
On November 17th, 2024, Nakhon Phanom Border Patrol Police, in collaboration with local authorities, uncovered a drug smuggling operation involving Buddha statues containing heroin and crystal methamphetamine in Tha Uthen District.
Following a tip-off from residents about suspicious Buddha statues left near a roadside cemetery, officers discovered three resin Buddha statues that appeared discarded and damaged. Upon inspection, the bases of the statues were found tightly sealed with resin, raising suspicions of concealed contraband.
After transporting the statues to the Border Patrol Police base for examination, on November 18th, officers broke open the bases and found 32 bricks of heroin weighing over 12 kilograms and 117 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine hidden inside.
In international markets, the estimated value of the illicit substances would be over 100 million baht. However, no suspect was detained.
The traffickers had cleverly used foil and carbon paper within the statues to avoid detection by X-ray scanners, according to the officials.
Officials believe the statues were custom-made across the border, as evidence included packaging from a convenience store in Vang Vieng, Laos. The drugs were likely destined for transport through southern Thailand to Malaysia, Indonesia, and further to Australia.
Authorities are expanding their investigation with support from Lao officials, as Nakhon Phanom has become a key transit point for international drug trafficking networks.
Buddhist and religious statues have increasingly been used for smuggling as due to religious reasons many inspectors are hesitant to deface or thoroughly take apart the items.
