Bangkok: Nong Thien insists she was unaware that crystal meth was hidden in the package. The Narcotics Suppression Bureau police revealed the results of their initial questioning of Ms. Thien. She confirmed she was unaware that crystal meth was hidden in the package. Meanwhile, further investigation has uncovered several individuals involved in the transnational trafficking network.
According to Thai News Agency, following the Japanese prosecutor's decision not to indict Ms. Thien, a Thai woman arrested after methamphetamine was found hidden in coffee sachets she was carrying to Japan, and her subsequent deportation to Thailand yesterday, Police Lieutenant General Achayon Kraithong, Commander of the Narcotics Suppression Division, revealed that during questioning, Ms. Thien stated that after speaking with a woman named "Ing Ing" and receiving the package, she opened the box and found several consumer goods. She then removed them to pack into her suitcase but admitted that she did not inspect the items thoroughly and therefore was unaware that methamphetamine was hidden inside the coffee sachets.
Regarding the 3,600 baht fee for a general parcel delivery service, Ms. Thien stated that she usually receives multiple items for delivery and the fee depends on the agreement for each trip, so she didn't feel anything was suspicious. When asked about the opened and resealed coffee sachets, Police Lieutenant General Achayon stated that plastic sealing machines are widely available online, making it possible to reseal coffee sachets to look very similar to the original. Without close inspection, the abnormality might not be noticed.
When asked about the investigation's progress, several more individuals were found to be involved. It was discovered that "Ing Ing" was the one who used the Line chat to contact and arrange for the delivery of the package. Based on the investigation, it is suspected that she is the same person as Mr. Bank, a Vietnamese national who entered Thailand on July 8th and was later found to have purchased items at a shopping mall in the Bang Kapi area. It is believed he bought coffee to conceal drugs before sending it to Ms. Thien. The investigation revealed that Mr. Bank left the country on July 14th, the same day his sister was arrested in Japan. However, his destination country is still under investigation.
The investigation has also led to an individual behind the operation, a Vietnamese national named Mr. Tang, who is banned from entering Thailand. He acted as the mastermind and coordinator of the network, instructing Mr. Ho, the previously arrested suspect, to open bank accounts to transfer payments for smuggling goods across the border to Ms. Thien. Meanwhile, police are expanding the investigation to the employers, those who ordered the operation, and the recipients in Japan. Initially, they are gathering evidence to issue arrest warrants and are considering charges of participating in a transnational organized crime syndicate. They are also coordinating the investigation with Japanese authorities.
Furthermore, Police Lieutenant General Achayon stated that although the modus operandi of this network involves concealing methamphetamine within goods and packages before using couriers to transport them abroad, similar to the case of "Meena," a former flight attendant arrested for smuggling methamphetamine overseas, current investigations have not yet found a connection between the two networks. "Meena's" case involved an ethnic group in the northern region, while Ms. Thien's case involves a Vietnamese network and is separate from the group previously arrested by the Metropolitan Police Investigation Division for concealing drugs in chili paste products. Police are currently expanding their investigation to track down additional members of the network.