PHUKET, Thailand – A 21-year-old Belgian woman has been arrested at Phuket International Airport after authorities allegedly found more than 31 kilograms of cannabis hidden inside two suitcases as she attempted to leave Thailand. Airport security officers at the international departures terminal intercepted the luggage on Tuesday, July 7, after identifying two suspicious suitcases belonging to the passenger, identified as Salma El, a Belgian national. A search of the bags uncovered 12 vacuum-sealed packages containing cannabis flower weighing approximately 28.3 kilograms, along with eight additional packages of processed cannabis weighing 3.4 kilograms. The total haul amounted to around 31.7 kilograms.
The suspect was immediately taken into custody for questioning. Police said she admitted ownership of both the luggage and the cannabis. She has been charged with attempting to export goods that had not passed customs procedures under Thailand’s Customs Act, along with offences under the Narcotics Code, the Thai Traditional Medicine Protection and Promotion Act, the Ministry of Public Health’s Controlled Herbs (Cannabis) Regulations, and other related laws.
The suspect and the seized cannabis were handed over to investigators at Sakoo Police Station for further legal proceedings.
Pol. Col. Salan Santisatsanakul, superintendent of Sakoo Police Station, said the arrest was the result of close cooperation between security agencies and customs officials, who have intensified passenger and baggage inspections at Phuket International Airport to prevent the illegal export of controlled substances. He said authorities would continue to strictly enforce the law against anyone attempting to smuggle prohibited items out of the country.
