Thailand is seeking the extradition of a woman accused of hiring a Thai flight attendant to carry heroin-filled bags to Australia, as authorities intensify efforts to dismantle a transnational drug trafficking network linked to a drug kingpin in Myanmar’s Shan State.
The suspect, identified only as Chantra, is the person behind the Facebook account “Rose Rose”, which allegedly contacted and recruited a Thai Airways International flight attendant, Meena, through Facebook Messenger to transport bags hiding heroin, police said.
Investigators believe Ms Chantra has fled to Myanmar and is hiding in an area controlled by ethnic armed groups.
According to police, Ms Chantra is related to Col Ja Lobo, a suspected drug kingpin based in southern Shan State. Authorities describe him as a key figure in a major transnational drug production and trafficking operation. He previously served as deputy commander of Military Region 171, an area under the influence of the United Wa State Army (UWSA), one of Myanmar’s most powerful ethnic armed groups.
Thai security and anti-narcotics agencies have monitored Col Ja Lobo for years. An arrest warrant has already been issued for him.
Police said authorities are now coordinating with Myanmar officials to bring Ms Chantra back to face prosecution.
Meanwhile, the Office of Narcotics Control Board's (ONCB) said Ms Meena remains in the custody of the Australian Federal Police and is scheduled to appear before Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Sept 14.
Police added that authorities are stepping up efforts against transnational drug syndicates that use Thailand as an export hub.
They said such networks are often run by foreign nationals, including Chinese, Vietnamese and ethnic minority groups, who trick Thais into carrying drugs overseas.
