20-Year-Old Malaysian Arrested In Thailand After 166kg Of Syabu Worth Over RM8 Million Found In His Car
The arrest follows an investigation into a wider trafficking network allegedly moving narcotics from Suvarnabhumi Airport, with the drugs believed to be destined for southern Thailand.
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A 20-year-old Malaysian man has been detained in Thailand after police found about 166kg of crystal methamphetamine, or syabu, hidden inside several suitcases in a BMW in Hua Hin
The seizure reportedly followed an investigation into smaller-scale drug dealers in the resort town, which led Thai police to a suspected larger trafficking network.
The haul was seized in Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan province, and was worth more than RM8 million, according to a Thai news portal.
According to Thai police, investigators received information that a white BMW with Bangkok registration plates would be carrying a large drug shipment.
Officers subsequently set up a checkpoint along Hua Hin Soi 8.
When the BMW approached at around 12.30am on 8 August, police said the driver behaved suspiciously and attempted to flee.
Officers pursued the vehicle before stopping it outside a convenience store in Hua Hin district.
The driver was then identified as a 20-year-old Malaysian national.
Several suitcases were found inside the BMW
The Malaysian suspect allegedly told police that the luggage did not belong to him and that he did not know the combinations needed to open them.
The suspect and vehicle were brought back to the checkpoint, where officers searched the suitcases with his consent.
Police said the suitcases contained approximately 166kg of crystal methamphetamine, known locally as ice.
The suspect, BMW, and drugs were subsequently handed over to Hua Hin police investigators for further legal action.
Thai police said the operation began with an investigation into smaller drug dealers operating in Hua Hin
That investigation allegedly uncovered information about a larger network suspected of moving narcotics from Suvarnabhumi Airport.
According to police, vehicles were allegedly being used to temporarily store drug consignments before they were distributed in Hua Hin.
Police have ordered investigators to expand the case and identify other people allegedly involved in the network and transportation of the drugs.
Separately, Thai media reported that the seized drugs were allegedly being transported southwards, with Hat Yai and Thailand's three southernmost provinces identified as their intended destinations.
The report also said the shipment had allegedly been ordered by a Chinese national based in Bangkok who was involved in illegal business activities.
The wider investigation remains ongoing.
Pol Gen Samran Nuanma, Thailand's deputy national police chief, said the seizure highlighted the scale of drug trafficking in the country.
He noted that while Hua Hin police had seized 166kg in the operation, Bangkok authorities had separately confiscated up to 1,000kg, or one tonne, of drugs.
