South African Woman Arrested in Phuket for Attempted Heroin Export

Phuket –

Thai Customs officials have intercepted a major drug smuggling attempt at Phuket International Airport, arresting a South African woman who allegedly tried to export 16 kilograms of heroin concealed inside pet food bags.

The operation was carried out by the Customs Department’s Investigation and Suppression Bureau in coordination with Phuket Airport Customs. The suspect was preparing to board a flight bound for Entebbe International Airport in Uganda when officers discovered the narcotics.

Authorities reported that the heroin, classified as a Category 1 narcotic under Thai law, weighed a total of 16,000 grams and carried an estimated street value of more than 4.8 million baht.

The woman now faces charges of attempting to export a prohibited narcotic without authorization, a violation of the Customs Act B.E. 2560 (2017) and the Narcotics Code of Thailand.