THAI police together with Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Australian Border Security (ABF) have identified the person who transferred 8,800 baht to a Thai Airways International flight attendant arrested at Melbourne Airport on heroin smuggling charges as well as other suspects, TV Channel 7 said this afternoon (July 1).
Pol. Lt. Col. Suriya Singhakamol, secretary-general of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB), said his agency exchanged in-depth information with a team of AFP officers who flew to Thailand to further delve into this case.
However details cannot be disclosed as yet because the information gathered is being used to expand investigation and identify the network behind this case as this incident has caused damage to both Thailand and Australia.
Regarding inspection of airline crew baggage, this is a standard procedure with airlines requiring each crew member to declare any items they are carrying. The arrested flight attendant, Ms. Meena (surname withheld), 26, who was carrying 12 tote bags with heroin concealed in the lining, totalling over 1 kilogramme worth 11.4 million baht, willingly allowed authorities to inspect her bags.
The information exchanged today also led to identification of the person who delivered the package with several others involved in doing so as this is a network that planned and carried out the operation.
Meena also mentioned that someone was waiting to pick her up in Melbourne.
Pol. Lt. Col. Suriya added that further investigation is being carried out over the next one to two days to track down this drug network.
An AFP representative had said that Australia and Thailand have a long-standing relationship in law enforcement while thanking Pol. Lt. Col. Suriya for taking the time to discuss the threats and risks facing the region.
Discussions were also to cover past criminal cases, particularly cases where Thailand is frequently found to be a transit point for narcotics smuggled to third countries, with Australia being the most popular destination. Representatives of the two countries were also to focus on strengthening security measures in intercepting import and export of narcotics.
CAPTIONS:
Top – Pol. Lt. Col. Suriya Singhakamol, second from left, and another Thai officer together with two AFP officers.
Front Page – An AFP officer arriving at the Office of the Narcotics Control Board. Both photos – TV Channel 7
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