Bangkok: Immigration and Customs Department officials have successfully intercepted a Latvian man attempting to smuggle heroin concealed within iron bars at Suvarnabhumi Airport. The man, identified as 71-year-old Guntars Lukstins, was detained after a coordinated inspection by the Airport Immigration and Customs Department.
According to Thai News Agency, the arrest was made following intelligence provided by the Investigation and Suppression Division at Suvarnabhumi Airport. Under the leadership of Mr. Kridiprathon Singhubonpitikul, Director of the Customs Office, authorities were alerted to the possibility of drug smuggling through the airport, using Thailand as a transit hub.
The investigation revealed that Lukstins arrived from Laos on June 22, 2025, on flight TG571 and was scheduled to connect to Malaysia on flight TG417. During the inspection, officials discovered a long red canvas bag containing a stretcher, inside which 47 sausage-like pieces wrapped in brown plastic were hidden. These materials tested positive for heroin, weighing approximately 3 kg in total.
Initial questioning of Lukstins proved challenging due to a language barrier, as he spoke Russian and was unable to communicate in English. Authorities suspect that the drugs originated in Laos, given that he checked a 9 kg bag on his return trip, despite having no checked baggage on the way to Laos. Lukstins has been handed over to the Customs Department's Investigation and Suppression Division for further legal proceedings.
This operation aligns with the policies set by Pol. Gen. Kittirat Panphet, Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police, and Pol. Lt. Gen. Phanumas Boonyalak, Commissioner-General of the Immigration Bureau. Their strategy emphasizes collaboration with neighboring agencies to thwart transnational crimes, particularly those involving foreign nationals using Thailand as a transit point.