Canadian, Thai Arrested for Transnational Drug Trafficking in Bangkok

 

BANGKOK – Thailand’s Office of the Narcotic Control Board secretary-general Niyom Termsrisuk told a press conference today that  a Canadian national and a Thai man have been arrested on transnational drug trafficking Charges.

The arrest was made as part of the joint Thai-Australian drug suppression operation called Taskforce Storm.

Canadian national Stephens Blair, 38, and Thai man Pahol Siwasirikarun, 27, were arrested on Jan 17 when they showed up at the Suvarnabhumi airport cargo terminal to claim a returned parcel containing eight shock absorbers with 3,740 grams of heroin hidden inside.

Mr Niyom said the arrest was made under a joint Thai-Australian drug suppression operation named Taskforce Storm, a collaboration between the Oncb and the Australian Federation Police (AFP).

The operation revealed that the drugs were being smuggled from Chiang Rai’s Golden Triangle into Thailand before being delivered to Australia and Canada.

The authorities believe they have identified all the suspected members of the drug gang. They are all Australian nationals who are still active in a neighboring country.

According to Mr Niyom, heroin was formerly packaged in bars, making delivery difficult. Now, it has been packaged in small quantities hidden in various kinds of goods. Without good intelligence cooperation, it would be difficult to arrest the suspects, he said.

Mr Niyom said the two suspects in this case have been initially charged with possession of illicit drugs with intent to sell.

Source: Bangkok Post, The Nation