PHUKET: An Indian who tried to smuggle illegal drugs into Thailand presented himself to Customs in the ''Something to Declare'' section at Phuket International Airport, a media presentation was told last night.
''He appears to have figured that by being bold, he could bluff his way through,'' a Customs officer said. But when the imported clothing that 21-year-old Sunil Shankar chose to declare was removed from a bag, officers noted its weight.
Then a scanner detected 6.3 kilos of the illegal drug ephedrine - used in making methamphetamines - inside his luggage.
Mr Shankar told Phuketwan that he didn't realise this time that there were drugs inside the bag - but he did know he was carrying drugs when he visited Phuket for the first time on November 29.
He had been invited to ''take a free holiday to Phuket'' by a friend of his uncle, who equipped him with a Thai SIM card and told him to catch a bus to Had Yai after arriving on Phuket.
''I was in Thailand for two days, then I flew back,'' he told Phuketwan in conversation. This time, he had hoped to see more of Thailand.
The Bangalore computer industry worker is likely to see a lot of bare walls, with the penalty ranging up to 20 years in jail on Phuket or elsewhere in Thailand.
The drugs had a street value of 30 million baht, officials said.
Mr Shankar arrived on Phuket at 9.30am yesterday on a Silk Air flight after he first flew from India to Singapore before heading north.
Although Phuket is perceived as being an easier point of entry for drug smugglers than Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi, Customs officials at Phuket International Airport are pleased with their strike rate.
''He appears to have figured that by being bold, he could bluff his way through,'' a Customs officer said. But when the imported clothing that 21-year-old Sunil Shankar chose to declare was removed from a bag, officers noted its weight.
Then a scanner detected 6.3 kilos of the illegal drug ephedrine - used in making methamphetamines - inside his luggage.
Mr Shankar told Phuketwan that he didn't realise this time that there were drugs inside the bag - but he did know he was carrying drugs when he visited Phuket for the first time on November 29.
He had been invited to ''take a free holiday to Phuket'' by a friend of his uncle, who equipped him with a Thai SIM card and told him to catch a bus to Had Yai after arriving on Phuket.
''I was in Thailand for two days, then I flew back,'' he told Phuketwan in conversation. This time, he had hoped to see more of Thailand.
The Bangalore computer industry worker is likely to see a lot of bare walls, with the penalty ranging up to 20 years in jail on Phuket or elsewhere in Thailand.
The drugs had a street value of 30 million baht, officials said.
Mr Shankar arrived on Phuket at 9.30am yesterday on a Silk Air flight after he first flew from India to Singapore before heading north.
Although Phuket is perceived as being an easier point of entry for drug smugglers than Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi, Customs officials at Phuket International Airport are pleased with their strike rate.
This capture was just pure luck due to the stupidity of the smuggler. Being complacent and pleased with that is alarming.
Though I'm happy about every drugs bust, I certainly hope the issue would get more attention the form of advanced detections systems.
They come with a lot of fur, a wagging tail and run for years on just water and food. Don't need a work permit either.
Posted by Steve C. on January 8, 2012 11:59
Editor Comment:
Can a sniffer dog sniff ephedrine or ''black'' cocaine?