Eight Arrested Over More Than 3 Million Baht Cargo Theft at Phuket Airport

Police in Phuket have arrested eight people suspected of stealing mobile phones and other electronic equipment worth more than 3 million baht from a cargo warehouse at Phuket International Airport.

The arrests were announced on November 4 following an investigation into an alleged theft and resale operation involving shipments from China destined for Russia. Some of the suspects were employees of an international freight company.

The case initially emerged when officers inspecting vehicles at a checkpoint in Sakhu, Thalang district, discovered a large number of mobile phones. Some devices had already been removed from their original packaging, prompting police to investigate their origin.

Investigators believe the main theft took place at around 12:20am on November 2. Two suspects allegedly arrived at the airport cargo warehouse in a black pickup truck and worked with five freight company employees to remove electronic goods from a shipping container.

The stolen items were then allegedly handed over to a buyer for resale. Some products were advertised on social media at prices below their usual market value.

As the investigation progressed, police searched three houses in Thalang district and recovered additional items believed to be connected to the case.

The operation resulted in the arrest of eight suspects, including freight company employees, alleged accomplices and a person suspected of receiving stolen goods.

Police said the employees had used their access to the airport's cargo warehouse and knowledge of its operations to remove goods intended for delivery to Russia. Investigators also found evidence suggesting that the group may have carried out similar thefts on approximately eight previous occasions.

More than 118 items were recovered, including mobile phones, tablets, smartwatches, wireless earphones, Bluetooth speakers, smart glasses and gaming consoles. Some of the phones were manufactured by Vivo, Oppo and Redmi.

Officers also seized a pickup truck, a car and a motorcycle believed to have been used in connection with the alleged offences.

The total value of the stolen goods was estimated at more than 3 million baht. Investigators confirmed that the shipments had been legally imported and cleared through customs before the goods were allegedly removed from the cargo.

The suspects face charges relating to nighttime theft committed by multiple people at an airport, the use of vehicles to facilitate the offences and receiving stolen property.

Following their arrests, all eight were transferred to investigators at Sakhu Police Station for further legal proceedings.

Phuket provincial police warned that the case could undermine confidence in international cargo transportation and damage Thailand's reputation as a logistics destination.

Authorities also urged consumers to be cautious when purchasing unusually cheap electronics. Buyers who knowingly acquire stolen goods, or purchase items under circumstances that give them reason to suspect they were stolen, may also face criminal charges.

The investigation remains ongoing, with police working to identify other potential participants, buyers and channels used to resell the stolen products.