American Man Arrested in Phuket with 6.6kg of Heroin Hidden in Creamer Boxes
Phuket, Thailand – In a major drug bust that highlights the continued efforts of Thai authorities to crack down on international narcotics trafficking, a 60-year-old American man was arrested on Wednesday evening at Phuket International Airport after authorities discovered 6.6 kilograms of heroin concealed in his luggage.
The suspect, identified as Tyler Luong, was detained by Phuket tourist police just as he was preparing to board a flight bound for France. According to police officials, the arrest followed a tip-off from informants who alerted law enforcement on Monday that an American national would be attempting to smuggle drugs out of the country later in the week.
After receiving the information, detectives began surveillance on the suspect. On Wednesday, Luong was located and discreetly followed to the airport. While he was checking in for his flight, which included layovers in Doha and Brussels en route to France, an X-ray scan of his suitcase revealed suspicious contents that prompted a closer inspection.
Inside the suitcase, officers found 10 boxes labeled as creamer. Upon opening the boxes, they discovered that each one contained packets of heroin, with a total combined weight of 6.6 kilograms. The illicit drugs were tightly packed and disguised to resemble ordinary food items, a method commonly used by smugglers to evade airport security and customs checks.
During questioning, Luong reportedly told police that he had no idea the packages contained heroin. He claimed that a French friend had asked him to carry the suitcase to France as a favor. He did not provide a name or location for the friend, and investigators are currently working to determine the legitimacy of his story and whether an international smuggling ring is involved.
Phuket tourist police stated that the investigation is ongoing, and further inquiries are being conducted in cooperation with both Thai and international law enforcement agencies. They emphasized that the arrest was made possible thanks to the cooperation between informants, local police, and airport security officials.
Luong remains in custody and is expected to face serious charges under Thailand’s strict drug laws. The possession and trafficking of heroin carry severe penalties, including the possibility of life imprisonment or even the death penalty.
The arrest adds to a growing list of foreign nationals caught attempting to smuggle drugs through Thailand, a country that has long served as a transit point in the international narcotics trade. Thai authorities have made clear their zero-tolerance policy for drug trafficking and have urged tourists and residents alike to be vigilant and avoid getting involved in illegal activities.
Authorities have also issued a warning to travelers to be cautious when asked to carry bags or packages on behalf of others, particularly if the sender is not well-known or trustworthy.
Luong’s case is now being handled by the Phuket Provincial Police and the Narcotics Suppression Bureau, who are coordinating efforts to track the origins and intended recipients of the heroin shipment. Officials have not ruled out the possibility that Luong may be part of a larger trafficking network operating between Southeast Asia and Europe.
As the investigation unfolds, police are expected to release additional information about the case in the coming days. For now, Tyler Luong remains behind bars, facing a grim legal battle and the full force of Thailand’s anti-drug laws.
