PHUKET: An Indonesian was arrested last night trying to smuggle 5.2 kilos of cocaine valued at 15.6 million baht into Thailand, according to Phuket International Airport authorities.
Scanners at the airport led Customs officials to examine the man's luggage more closely after he travelled to many cities then took a Silk Air flight in Singapore for the final leg to Phuket
The cocaine was hidden inside three books and wrapped in six silverfoil containers.
''It was destined for the tourist resort town of Khao Lak, north of Phuket, where we believe it was to be distributed to other parts of Thailand,'' a media conference at the airport was told today.
Indonesian Jemani Ikhsan, 63, who had previously visited Samui last year, told Customs officers that he had bought the cocaine in Bogota, Colombia, on Saturday then kangaroo-hopped on a series of flights.
He flew from Bogota to Panama City, Panama City to Sao Paolo, Sao Paolo to Doha, Qatar to Singapore, then via Silk Air at 5.45pm to Phuket.
Phuket Governor Nisit Jansomwong, Royal Thai Navy Region 3 Commander Vice Admiral Saiyan Prasongsamret, Airport Customs Chief Montira Cherdchoo and other officials attended today's media conference.
Scanners at the airport led Customs officials to examine the man's luggage more closely after he travelled to many cities then took a Silk Air flight in Singapore for the final leg to Phuket
The cocaine was hidden inside three books and wrapped in six silverfoil containers.
''It was destined for the tourist resort town of Khao Lak, north of Phuket, where we believe it was to be distributed to other parts of Thailand,'' a media conference at the airport was told today.
Indonesian Jemani Ikhsan, 63, who had previously visited Samui last year, told Customs officers that he had bought the cocaine in Bogota, Colombia, on Saturday then kangaroo-hopped on a series of flights.
He flew from Bogota to Panama City, Panama City to Sao Paolo, Sao Paolo to Doha, Qatar to Singapore, then via Silk Air at 5.45pm to Phuket.
Phuket Governor Nisit Jansomwong, Royal Thai Navy Region 3 Commander Vice Admiral Saiyan Prasongsamret, Airport Customs Chief Montira Cherdchoo and other officials attended today's media conference.
Interesting that of all this criminal drug smuggler's travels, he chose Phuket as the best place to hop off. Golly, I wonder if that is because this place is notorious for having poor enforcement, or because if you do get caught here... you can use all your dirty money to buy your way out. I'd be curious to learn what happens with this guy.
Posted by Ed Sanders on April 21, 2015 15:22