Surat Thani, Thailand – March 13, 2025-
Authorities at Samui International Airport apprehended four British nationals and one Malaysian in connection with an attempt to smuggle 144 kilograms of cannabis buds out of Thailand. The high-profile arrests took place during routine luggage inspections as the suspects prepared to board a flight to Singapore.
The cannabis, concealed in seven suitcases, was allegedly destined for illegal markets in Britain and Singapore, where its street value is estimated at 15 million baht.
Among the arrested were two British men, identified as Mark and Richard, who were caught with 85.3 kilograms of cannabis in four suitcases. The suspects admitted to being promised payment of either debt relief or £2,000 (87,000 baht) for delivering the bags to the United Kingdom.
Two British women, Peace and Esther, were intercepted carrying 35.8 kilograms of cannabis packed in two suitcases. Similar to the men, their final destination was also Britain.
The fifth suspect, a Malaysian national identified as Tan, was found with 22.8 kilograms of cannabis in one suitcase. According to police, Tan confessed to being hired for 6,000 ringgit (45,000 baht) to deliver the illegal shipment to Singapore.
Law enforcement is now intensively investigating the case to uncover the individuals or network orchestrating this large-scale smuggling attempt.
Thailand has recently decriminalized cannabis for medicinal and industrial use as of 2022.
