Major Drug Bust: Four Foreign Nationals Arrested at Samui International Airport
PUBLISHED: 14 Mar 2025 at 18:55
SURAT THANI – Authorities at Samui International Airport have apprehended four foreign nationals in connection with a significant drug smuggling operation. The suspects were found with approximately 110 kilograms of cannabis buds concealed in seven suitcases as they prepared to depart for Hong Kong.
Law enforcement officials are investigating potential links between these arrests and a previous incident just one day prior, in which five foreign individuals were detained with 144 kilograms of cannabis intended for export to Britain and Singapore.
Amorn Chumchuay, chief of the Koh Samui district office, confirmed that the latest seizure was detected during an X-ray scan of luggage. The suspects, who were set to continue their travels to the United Kingdom and then to Germany, include British nationals Shaun Eric Bainbridge, 36, and Mark Searonsmith, 23; Romanian national Paul Marian David, 48; and Dutch national Faesel Martires Modest, 58.
During initial interrogations, the suspects claimed they were offered a complimentary trip to Thailand, which included free meals and lodging in exchange for transporting several suitcases upon departure. They stated that a Thai individual delivered the suitcases to their hotel, with the promise of payment upon reaching their destination.
Customs officials have filed charges against the suspects for attempting to smuggle cannabis without adhering to lawful customs procedures and for violating the Traditional Medicine Wisdom Protection Act. The suspects are currently held at the Bo Phut police station.
Pol Col Denduang Thongsrisook, the chief of the Bo Phut station, indicated that the recent arrests share several similarities with those from the prior day, reinforcing the belief that a broader smuggling operation may be in play.
The earlier group consisted of four Britons and a Malaysian caught with seven bags of cannabis. Together, these incidents have led to a total of nine arrests and the confiscation of 254 kilograms of cannabis.
Authorities are actively pursuing leads to identify individuals behind the recruitment and organization of the smuggling network. A source reported that the market value of the seized cannabis buds is estimated at 45,000 baht per kilogram in Thailand, with potential prices soaring to ten times higher in international markets.
