BANGKOK: Labels identified the packages as toys but DHL package sorters in Bangkok were stunned when a routine X-ray scan revealed they contained parts of a baby's head, a baby's foot and heart.
Other parts included a sheet of skin taken from an adult and bearing a large tiger tattoo, police said.
The grisly discovery was made in containers filled with formaldehyde in three acrylic boxes that were labelled to be sent express to an address in Nevada in the United States.
The discovery on Saturday led police to detain and question a 31 year-old American man who told them he decided to send the body parts to some people in the US ''just to spook them''.
Thai police Major-General Chawalit Prasopsin told the AFP newsagency that the parts were ''not from one body but were in small pieces''.
Thai police told local journalists they temporarily released the American after four hours of questioning.
Local media reported the man told police he wanted to go to Cambodia but promised to return to Bangkok and co-operate with police later in November.
Some local media reported the man claimed he obtained the parts at a place in Bangkok he was taken to by a tuk-tuk motorcycle taxi driver but he did not know the location.
DHL staff said the consignee paid cash to send the parcels to the US.
Under DHL rules he was required to produce his passport before the packages were accepted.
A coroner confirmed on Sunday the parts were human but added DNA identification may fail if they had been immersed in formaldehyde for too long.
In 2012, Thai police discovered six human foetuses which had been roasted and covered in gold leaf as part of an apparent black magic ritual.
That discovery was made in the luggage of a British citizen of Taiwanese origin. They were due to be sent to Taiwan.
In Thai black magic rituals, which are also observed in some Chinese communities, preserved foetuses are believed to bring good fortune to the owner and are often kept in shrines within homes or businesses.
Other parts included a sheet of skin taken from an adult and bearing a large tiger tattoo, police said.
The grisly discovery was made in containers filled with formaldehyde in three acrylic boxes that were labelled to be sent express to an address in Nevada in the United States.
The discovery on Saturday led police to detain and question a 31 year-old American man who told them he decided to send the body parts to some people in the US ''just to spook them''.
Thai police Major-General Chawalit Prasopsin told the AFP newsagency that the parts were ''not from one body but were in small pieces''.
Thai police told local journalists they temporarily released the American after four hours of questioning.
Local media reported the man told police he wanted to go to Cambodia but promised to return to Bangkok and co-operate with police later in November.
Some local media reported the man claimed he obtained the parts at a place in Bangkok he was taken to by a tuk-tuk motorcycle taxi driver but he did not know the location.
DHL staff said the consignee paid cash to send the parcels to the US.
Under DHL rules he was required to produce his passport before the packages were accepted.
A coroner confirmed on Sunday the parts were human but added DNA identification may fail if they had been immersed in formaldehyde for too long.
In 2012, Thai police discovered six human foetuses which had been roasted and covered in gold leaf as part of an apparent black magic ritual.
That discovery was made in the luggage of a British citizen of Taiwanese origin. They were due to be sent to Taiwan.
In Thai black magic rituals, which are also observed in some Chinese communities, preserved foetuses are believed to bring good fortune to the owner and are often kept in shrines within homes or businesses.
So what they are saying is they let him go? Right. Do they know where he is now? Or they just took his word for it that he would return?
Posted by Vfaye on November 17, 2014 13:57