Four Foreign Tourists Arrested at Phuket Airport with 33kg of Cannabis

Four foreign tourists were arrested at Phuket International Airport on July 28 after customs officers allegedly discovered more than 33.6 kilogrammes of cannabis hidden inside their luggage before they were scheduled to depart Thailand.

The suspects were identified as Sean Cassidy Buzzi, 19, a Swiss national; Shaina Myriam Khadija El Gharib, 18, a French national; Marcus Frimpong, 18, a Swiss national; and Alassane Justin Luciano Ahmada Djae, 26, a French national.

According to customs officials, officers found more than 33.6 kilogrammes of cannabis flowers and processed cannabis concealed in the travelers’ suitcases during a departure inspection. Authorities believe the drugs were intended to be smuggled out of Thailand.

During questioning, all four suspects reportedly admitted that both the luggage and the seized cannabis belonged to them.

They were charged with attempting to export goods from Thailand without completing the required customs procedures. Following the arrest, the suspects and the confiscated cannabis were transferred to investigators at Sakhu Police Station for further legal action.

The arrests are the latest in a series of cannabis-smuggling cases intercepted at Phuket International Airport this month.

On July 9, customs officers arrested a Thai woman and a Filipina after allegedly discovering 32.1 kilogrammes of cannabis flowers in their luggage before departure.

A day earlier, on July 8, a Russian national was detained after officials reportedly found more than 17 kilogrammes of cannabis flowers and cannabis resin in his baggage.

On July 7, a Belgian woman was arrested after authorities allegedly seized over 31 kilogrammes of cannabis from her luggage during a departure inspection.

Earlier in the month, on July 1, two Uzbek nationals were also detained after customs officers allegedly uncovered more than 26 kilogrammes of cannabis products hidden in their suitcases before their flight out of Thailand.