Romanian Tourist Caught with 3.5kg Heroin at Suvarnabhumi Airport
SUVARNABHUMI — A 50-year-old Romanian woman was arrested at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport for attempting to smuggle over 3.5 kilograms of heroin out of Thailand, customs authorities announced on Saturday. The heroin, valued at more than 1 million baht (approximately USD $30,000), was concealed inside her luggage.
The arrest is part of a broader crackdown by Thai authorities on drug trafficking through international travel hubs. According to Phanthong Loykulnan, spokesman for the Customs Department, the operation was the result of coordinated intelligence sharing and surveillance between multiple agencies.
The suspect was apprehended as she prepared to board a Vietnam Airlines flight bound for Taiwan via Hanoi. Authorities from the Customs Department’s Investigation and Suppression Division, Suvarnabhumi Airport Passenger Inspection Office, the Airport Interdiction Task Force (AITF), and narcotics suppression police were involved in the operation.
Customs officers had been monitoring the woman based on intelligence reports indicating suspicious travel activity. She was identified at the airline check-in counter, where officers subjected her luggage to an X-ray scan. The scan revealed irregularities in a black hard-shell suitcase, prompting a detailed inspection.
Inside the luggage, officers found a backpack and bedding set that appeared to contain white powder. Field testing using ONCB051 MARQUIS REAGENT was immediately conducted. The reagent turned purple upon contact with the substance, confirming it as heroin. The total weight of the confiscated narcotics was 3.56 kilograms.
Authorities estimate the street value of the heroin at 1,068,000 baht (about USD $30,000), although the amount could fetch a much higher price depending on its final destination and purity level. The suspect now faces charges under Thailand’s Customs Act of 2017 for attempting to smuggle a Category 1 narcotic and for illegal possession of a controlled substance.
Thailand classifies heroin as a Category 1 narcotic, which carries harsh penalties for possession, trafficking, or export. If convicted, the suspect could face a lengthy prison sentence or even the death penalty under Thai law, depending on the court’s judgment.
Officials say this case highlights Thailand’s strategic role in international drug trafficking. While not always the end destination, the country remains a key transit point in the regional drug trade due to its geographic location and major international airports.
Suvarnabhumi Airport is one of Southeast Asia’s busiest air travel hubs and has increasingly become a target for drug couriers attempting to move narcotics across borders. However, it is also a critical chokepoint for Thai authorities working to intercept such activity.
Phanthong Loykulnan stated that the Customs Department, in conjunction with the AITF and other law enforcement agencies, has ramped up efforts to monitor and intercept drug shipments. “This arrest demonstrates the effectiveness of our inter-agency collaboration and our advanced screening technology,” he said.
According to official customs statistics, between October 1, 2024, and July 24, 2025, authorities have intercepted narcotics in 187 cases involving various substances such as crystal meth (ice), heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine pills. The estimated total value of drugs seized during this fiscal year has exceeded 1.157 billion baht.
The Romanian suspect remains in custody and will undergo further legal proceedings. Thai authorities are coordinating with the Romanian embassy and international agencies to verify her background and investigate whether she is linked to a broader trafficking network.
Officials have reiterated their commitment to preventing Thailand from being used as a drug transit route and urge the public to report suspicious activity, especially in key transit locations like airports and border crossings.
