A SWISS expat resident of Thailand has been arrested and charged with bringing in four kilos of cocaine via Phuket International Airport, police sources said today.
It's believed to be among the largest hauls of the drug seized on Phuket. Phuketwan understands that the man - named as Peter Balmer, 47 - is a 13-year resident of Thailand who eventually simply ran out of money.
Details remain sketchy, but Phuketwan understands from sources that Mr Balmer examined his options and chose to make $7000 as an international drug courier by flying to Bolivia, where he collected the cocaine.
Mr Balmer was supposed to contact a man at Phuket airport who would be carrying a sign with his name, police have been told. But he was arrested inside Phuket airport, before he could make the connection.
It's understood that police from Tachatchai station, which oversees security at Phuket airport, made the arrest yesterday evening, acting on a tip-off.
Mr Balmer, believed to have returned to Thailand from Bolivia via the Middle East, may have been told that Phuket was a ''softer'' arrival option, hoping his contraband might not be found.
There was no-one with a ''PETER BALMER'' sign waiting outside the airport. The cocaine is estimated to have a street value of 20 million baht.
Yesterday's airport haul raises questions about the scale of drugs-running through Phuket. Cocaine appears to be the drug of choice among tourists and expat residents, despite the heavy penalties for its use and sale.
Phuket Time Share Pair Nabbed, Accused Over DrugsIt's believed to be among the largest hauls of the drug seized on Phuket. Phuketwan understands that the man - named as Peter Balmer, 47 - is a 13-year resident of Thailand who eventually simply ran out of money.
Details remain sketchy, but Phuketwan understands from sources that Mr Balmer examined his options and chose to make $7000 as an international drug courier by flying to Bolivia, where he collected the cocaine.
Mr Balmer was supposed to contact a man at Phuket airport who would be carrying a sign with his name, police have been told. But he was arrested inside Phuket airport, before he could make the connection.
It's understood that police from Tachatchai station, which oversees security at Phuket airport, made the arrest yesterday evening, acting on a tip-off.
Mr Balmer, believed to have returned to Thailand from Bolivia via the Middle East, may have been told that Phuket was a ''softer'' arrival option, hoping his contraband might not be found.
There was no-one with a ''PETER BALMER'' sign waiting outside the airport. The cocaine is estimated to have a street value of 20 million baht.
Yesterday's airport haul raises questions about the scale of drugs-running through Phuket. Cocaine appears to be the drug of choice among tourists and expat residents, despite the heavy penalties for its use and sale.
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Oh man what is this thinking?...there has to be better ways to make money for yourself.
Posted by sky on May 10, 2011 20:33