Thai Woman Arrested at Japan Airport Over Meth in Coffee
A Thai courier was arrested at Japan's Fukuoka Airport in July after crystal methamphetamine was allegedly found in a coffee packet she was carrying, with her family claiming she was unknowingly used by drug traffickers posing as legitimate
The family of a Thai woman arrested in Japan after authorities allegedly found crystal methamphetamine hidden inside a coffee packet in her luggage is urging Thai police to investigate what they believe may be an international drug trafficking scheme exploiting parcel couriers.
The 28-year-old woman, identified as Juthathip Thongnoi, traveled to Japan on 11 July with her boyfriend and another companion. The group worked as couriers, transporting parcels for Thai customers living in Japan.
According to her family, the group departed from Bangkok's Don Mueang Airport on a Thai AirAsia flight and arrived at Fukuoka Airport on the morning of 12 July, where customs officials inspected their luggage.
Juthathip was detained after authorities allegedly discovered methamphetamine concealed inside a coffee packet packed among the items she was carrying, her family said.
Her boyfriend, Sarawut Klabdee, said Juthathip had operated a Line group called THIENTHIEN SHOP since last year, offering parcel delivery services between Thailand and Japan.
He said that on 10 July, a customer using the Line name "ing ing" contacted the group and hired them to carry a 12-kilogram package to Japan for a fee of 3,600 baht. The package was sealed with heavy tape, and he was unsure whether Juthathip had opened it to inspect its contents.
Sarawut said the same customer had previously used the service in May, so they did not suspect anything unusual.
After arriving in Japan, all three travelers were questioned by airport authorities for about 11 hours. Sarawut and the third traveler were later released, while Juthathip remained in custody.
He said the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Fukuoka initially informed the family that authorities had detected a stimulant substance but did not specify where it had been found. On 22 July, the family received formal notification that crystal meth had allegedly been discovered inside a coffee packet.
The group had transported nine parcels on the trip. Sarawut said every customer collected their items except the person using the Line name "ing ing," who never showed up and later blocked all contact. He added that the payment had been transferred from a bank account under the name HO THI MAI.
Juthathip's mother, Kanyawee Fuengphian, said the family filed a police report at Bang Bua Thong Police Station after being notified of her daughter's arrest by the Thai consulate on 22 July.
She said they reviewed security camera footage from their daughter's housing estate and have already handed evidence to investigators in hopes of identifying the person who delivered the parcel.
The family acknowledged that Juthathip had failed to inspect the package before transporting it, but insisted she had never been involved with drugs.
They are now calling on Thai authorities to investigate the individual who entrusted the parcel to her and determine whether the case is linked to other recent incidents involving drugs hidden in packages carried by unsuspecting couriers.
