Chiang Mai airport customs officers, working in collaboration with airport authorities, arrested two Chinese nationals on 31st May as they attempted to smuggle cannabis buds out of the country concealed in snack bags inside their luggage, bound for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
The first passenger was found carrying 12 vacuum-sealed packages of cannabis buds hidden among snack items in a single suitcase, totalling 6 kilograms and valued at over 60,000 baht. The second was found with 6 similarly concealed packages weighing 3 kilograms, valued at over 30,000 baht. Combined, the two seizures amounted to 18 packages, 9 kilograms and a total estimated value of over 90,000 baht.
Neither passenger had declared suspicious baggage at check-in.
The arrests were made by the Chiang Mai International Airport Customs Post under Region 3 Customs Office. Both individuals face charges of attempting to export goods without completing customs procedures under the Customs Act B.E. 2560, the Thai Traditional Medicine Intelligence Protection and Promotion Act B.E. 2542, and the Ministry of Public Health Notification on Controlled Herbs (Cannabis) B.E. 2568. 