US woman arrested in Thailand for smuggling 4.3 kg of methamphetamine in luggage

An American woman was arrested at Phuket International Airport on February 23 for attempting to smuggle 4.3 kg of methamphetamine in her luggage. The drugs were hidden in bedding sets and valued at approximately 1.29 million baht. Customs officials identified the suspect during a routine risk assessment. A detailed inspection of her luggage revealed packages wrapped in multiple layers of tape and plastic, which tested positive for methamphetamine. This incident is part of Thailand's ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking. Since October 2024, authorities have seized a total of 1.72 tonnes of methamphetamine, valued at over 515 million baht.