Phuket Police Seize 6 Kilograms of Heroin Hidden in Thai Silk Garments Destined for Australia
Phuket police seized 6 kilograms of heroin hidden in Thai silk garments bound for Australia, after a suspicious courier recipient reported the package to authorities on May 2.
On May 6, 2569, at the Third Floor Conference Room of Wichit Police Station in Phuket, Deputy National Police Commissioner Sinlert Sukkum, commander of Phuket Provincial Police, along with Somsak Thongliang, superintendent of Wichit Police Station, announced the seizure of approximately 6,198 grams of Class 1 narcotics (heroin) hidden inside the lining of 48 Thai silk garments packed in two shipment bags from a private courier company destined for illegal export to Australia.
The case originated on April 30, 2569, when officers received intelligence about a suspicious package from Chiang Khan District in Loei Province with destination to Saku Subdistrict, Thalang District, Phuket. On May 2, the package recipient became suspicious after being hired through Facebook to transport silk garments abroad. The recipient turned the package over to authorities for inspection, revealing the hidden heroin.
Officers seized the narcotics as evidence and Wichit Police are conducting legal proceedings with the investigation still ongoing.
Deputy National Police Commissioner Sinlert stated that some individuals hired to transport goods overseas may unknowingly be carrying illegal contraband. He urged the public to exercise caution and thoroughly inspect goods before accepting courier work to avoid inadvertently becoming criminal suspects.
Regarding the street value of the seized drugs: based on Thai domestic prices averaging 400,000 baht per kilogram, the 6 kilograms of heroin would be worth approximately 2.4 million baht. However, if smuggled to countries like Australia where prices are significantly higher, the same shipment could command a value of approximately 24 million baht.
