Narcotics Officials Seize 24kg Heroin Hidden in Silk Shirts
Narcotics officials seized 24kg of heroin hidden in silk shirts, coffee sachets and winter jackets packed in parcels bound for Australia and Taiwan, with investigators tracing the shipments to a network linked to the Golden Triangle drug sy
The Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) has seized another 24.38 kilograms of heroin hidden inside silk clothing, coffee sachets and winter jackets packed in international parcels bound for Australia and Taiwan, while expanding its investigation into a network linked to the Golden Triangle drug syndicate.
ONCB Secretary-General Pol. Lt. Col. Suriya Singhakamol announced on 2 July 2026 that the ONCB, together with partner agencies, had intensified efforts to intercept narcotics destined for third countries.
Authorities confiscated 24.38kg of heroin concealed inside local handicrafts, silk garments, coffee sachets and winter jackets packed in five international parcels prepared for shipment to Australia and Taiwan.
The operation followed the seizure of two parcels in Bangkok on 30 June 2026, when officers found 8.17kg of heroin hidden inside local products destined for Australia.
Investigators traced the parcels to Loei province. On 1 July 2026, ONCB officers inspected a parcel delivery shop in Loei and discovered that three more parcels with similar characteristics had already been dispatched to two locations in Bangkok, prompting immediate raids.
At the first location in Bang Kapi district, officers seized two parcels containing 6.23kg of heroin concealed inside silk clothing. The shipment was bound for Taiwan.
At the second location on Rang Nam Road in Ratchathewi district, officers found 9.98kg of heroin hidden inside coffee sachets and winter jackets. The parcel was destined for Australia.
Further investigation found that the person directing the shipments to Australia is a Thai national wanted under an arrest warrant in Tak province on fraud charges, who allegedly issued instructions while residing in Australia.
On 2 July 2026, officers searched three locations in Loei and Nakhon Phanom provinces linked to the parcel shipments and bank accounts used to receive transport payments.
Those involved in sending the parcels told investigators that they had delivered the shipments twice together with the man's Lao wife. They said they collected the parcels from a Lao man, while payment for the deliveries was transferred into the wife's bank account.
Pol. Lt. Col. Suriya noted that Thailand's proximity to the Golden Triangle, a major production area for methamphetamine, crystal meth, heroin and ketamine, as well as its role as a regional transport hub with extensive land, air, sea and international parcel networks, makes close cooperation between domestic and international agencies essential in disrupting drug trafficking at every level.
He said authorities will continue expanding the investigation to identify other members of the trafficking network and prosecute everyone involved under the law.
Members of the public with information on drug-related activities are encouraged to contact the ONCB hotline 1386, available 24 hours a day. Officials said all information provided by informants will be kept strictly confidential.
