Thai Woman Arrested in Japan After Drugs Found in Luggage

The parents of a 28-year-old Thai woman detained at Fukuoka Airport in Japan after crystal methamphetamine was allegedly found hidden in a coffee packet have appealed for authorities to investigate the person who hired her to carry the parcel. The woman, identified as Juthathip, 28, travelled to Japan on 11 July with her 28-year-old boyfriend, Sarawut, and another friend. The three reportedly worked as freelance luggage carriers, transporting goods for Thai people living in Japan.

Upon arrival at Fukuoka Airport on 12 July at around 07:00, Japanese authorities searched their luggage and allegedly found crystal meth hidden inside a coffee packet belonging to Juthathip. She was subsequently detained. Her parents, Thanatsak, 53, and Kanyavee, 45, said they believed their daughter may have been deceived into carrying the drugs. They also urged relevant authorities to investigate whether the person who arranged for the parcel to be transported to Japan was part of an organised operation.

Sarawut said Juthathip had created a Line group called THIENTHIEN SHOP last year to offer a luggage-carrying service for Thai people living in Japan and those wishing to send goods there. On 10 July, a Line user named "ing ing" contacted the group and asked Juthathip to carry a parcel to Japan. The goods, weighing about 12kg, were packed in a brown box sealed tightly with tape.

Sarawut said he was unsure whether his girlfriend had opened the box to inspect its contents. The same customer had previously hired her to transport goods in May, so they did not initially suspect anything unusual. After the group arrived in Japan, airport officials questioned all three travellers. Sarawut and his friend were questioned from around 08:00 to 19:00 before being released, while Juthathip remained in custody. They were not initially told what offence she was suspected of committing.

The following day, Sarawut contacted the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Fukuoka and was told to wait for Japanese police to provide further information as the investigation was still ongoing. The consulate later informed the family that a stimulant substance had been detected, although it was initially unclear which item it had been found in.

On 22 July, the family received a notice from the consulate stating that crystal meth had allegedly been found hidden inside a coffee packet. The group had carried a total of nine boxes to Japan. Customers collected all the parcels except the one sent by the Line user "ing ing", who did not contact them to collect it and subsequently blocked their communication channels.

The customer had paid Juthathip 3,600 baht for the service. The payment was reportedly made from an account under the name HO THI MAI. Kanyavee said the family was informed by the Thai consulate on 22 July that her daughter had been arrested at Fukuoka Airport on suspicion of importing crystal meth. Shocked by the news, the family went to Bang Bua Thong Police Station in Nonthab.