MGR Online — The ONCB spokesperson has revealed that in the case of a woman hired as a courier who was arrested with ice methamphetamine at a Japanese airport, prosecutors have issued a decision not to prosecute on drug charges, finding the evidence insufficient. A warning has been issued about accepting items to carry on behalf of strangers.
Today (31 Jul.), Ms. Areepak Ngernbumrung, Deputy Secretary-General of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB), acting in her capacity as ONCB Office Spokesperson, disclosed the latest developments in the case of a Thai woman detained in Japan on drug smuggling charges. She said that Japanese prosecutors have now issued a decision not to prosecute on drug-related offences, having considered the evidence and found it insufficient to establish a link between the detainee and participation in drug-related offences.
Ms. Areepak revealed that the detainee is currently going through proceedings at the Japanese Immigration Bureau for deportation back to Thailand in accordance with legal procedures. Upon her arrival in Thailand, the ONCB will coordinate with the Narcotics Suppression Bureau 3 (NS3) to take custody of her for further questioning and to expand the investigation to track down the employers, co-conspirators, and all parties involved in Thailand, in order to pursue legal action.
The ONCB Office Spokesperson said that although the detainee was not prosecuted on drug-related charges, this case serves as an important lesson for anyone hired to carry goods or asked to take luggage abroad on someone else's behalf, as they may be used as tools of transnational criminal networks and could face legal liability under the laws of the destination country, even if they had no personal involvement with drugs.
In addition, the ONCB wishes to inform the public about Thai law: smuggling goods into or out of the country by evading customs procedures constitutes an offence under Section 242 of the Customs Act 2017, punishable by imprisonment of not more than ten years, or a fine of four times the value of the goods including duties, or both, and all smuggled goods shall be forfeited.
The ONCB Office Spokesperson emphasised that this case is an important cautionary tale for anyone hired to carry goods or asked to take luggage abroad on someone else's behalf. The public is urged to carefully verify the origin of items and the identity of those who hire them, and to avoid accepting items from individuals who are unknown or cannot be verified, as they may become instruments of transnational criminal networks. Even if they ultimately are not prosecuted for drug offences, they may still face liability under other laws of the destination country, affecting their freedom, reputation, legal costs, and Thailand's image.
Furthermore, the ONCB will urgently consult with relevant agencies to consider legal approaches under Thai law regarding the smuggling of goods concealing drugs out of the Kingdom — specifically, whether such conduct falls under the offence of customs evasion under Section 242 of the Customs Act 2017, or any other related offences — in order to elevate law enforcement, close loopholes exploited by drug trafficking networks, and establish deterrent measures to prevent Thailand from being used as a transit point for drug shipments to other countries.
