Brazilian Couple Caught with 6.63kg of Cocaine at Samui Airport
Thai customs officials at Samui International Airport have arrested a Brazilian couple attempting to smuggle 6.63 kilograms of cocaine hidden in their luggage. The seizure, worth over 20 million baht (US$600,000), highlights Thailand’s intensified crackdown on international drug trafficking.
From Brazil to Thailand: A Drug Mule Scheme
The suspects, identified as Diego dos Santos Silva (35) and Fernanda Gabriele Lorenco de Andrade (25), arrived on a Bangkok Airways flight from Suvarnabhumi Airport, following a journey that originated in São Paulo, Brazil, with a layover in Doha, Qatar.
During a routine scan, customs officers detected suspicious items in their suitcases. Upon inspection, they found two black bags containing 3.62kg and 3.31kg of cocaine, concealed among clothing and personal items.
In police questioning, the couple admitted it was their first time in Thailand and claimed they were lured into the scheme by a Brazilian contact who promised:
✅ Free flights & hotel stays
✅ 35,000 Brazilian reais (200,000 baht) payment
✅ Delivery to an unknown person in Koh Samui
Authorities are now investigating whether they are linked to a larger international drug network.
Surge in Airport Drug Busts
This arrest follows a worrying trend of foreign nationals being caught smuggling cocaine into Thailand:
- May 2025: Brazilian couple arrested at Suvarnabhumi with 7.4kg cocaine (worth 22M baht)
- April 2025: New Zealand man caught with 0.18g cocaine hidden in his passport at Phuket Airport
- February 2022: Three Brazilians detained at Suvarnabhumi with 15.5kg cocaine (46.5M baht)
Many traffickers use Doha or European hubs as transit points, suggesting an established South America-to-Asia smuggling route.
Thailand’s Strict Drug Laws & Penalties
Under Thailand’s Narcotics Code, cocaine is a Category 2 illegal substance. Penalties include:
- 5–20 years imprisonment + 100,000–400,000 baht fines (small quantities)
- 20 years to life + 2–5 million baht fines (large-scale trafficking)
- Death penalty (rarely enforced, but possible for major offenses)
Since October 2024, Thai customs have reported 140 drug cases with seizures exceeding 800 million baht.
Airport Security Tightens
Thai authorities are enhancing scanning technology and collaborating with international agencies to intercept drug shipments. Pol Lt Gen Surapol Thanomjit of Provincial Police Region 8 urged public cooperation, stating:
“We need everyone’s help to combat drug trafficking—report suspicious activity.”
The Brazilian couple remains in custody at Bo Phut Police Station as investigations continue.
Final Thoughts:
This case exposes how international drug rings exploit unsuspecting travelers with “free vacation” scams. While Thailand remains a top tourist destination, its zero-tolerance drug policies mean severe consequences for smugglers.
