PHUKET - A 30-year-old Russian man has been arrested at Phuket International Airport after authorities found more than 17 kilogrammes of cannabis flowers and resin concealed in his luggage before he was due to board a flight to Kazakhstan.
The discovery was made after customs officers and police searched two blue wheeled suitcases belonging to Sergei Sharabari inside the international departure terminal at the airport on Wednesday.
The search uncovered 35 vacuum-sealed packages of cannabis flowers, weighing 11.4 kilogrammes including packaging, and 12 packages of cannabis resin weighing 6.2kg including packaging.
The drugs had an estimated street value of more than 9.5 million baht, authorities said. Both suitcases were seized.
During questioning, the suspect reportedly acknowledged ownership of the cannabis products, which he was intending to bring to Almaty in Kazakhstan.
Police charged him with attempting to export goods without undergoing customs procedures. He was later handed over, along with the seized evidence, to investigators at the Sakhu police station.
Authorities said that although Thailand has relaxed cannabis regulations in recent years, the export of cannabis and cannabis-derived products remains subject to Thai customs laws and the import regulations of the destination country.
Attempting to export such products without complying with customs procedures constitutes an offence under Thai law.
