Thai customs arrested a 50-year-old Romanian woman at Suvarnabhumi Airport trying to smuggle 3.56kg of heroin to Taiwan. This latest arrest is part of a worrying trend of Western tourists being used by syndicates to traffic drugs through Thailand’s airports.
Thai customs have arrested yet another Western tourist caught trying to smuggle heroin out of the country. The latest bust happened Saturday at Suvarnabhumi Airport. The suspect—a 50-year-old Romanian woman—was preparing to board a Vietnam Airlines flight to Taiwan via Hanoi. She never made it past check-in. Authorities are alarmed by the rising number of foreign couriers taking huge legal risks for what appears to be a small financial gain. “This trend doesn’t make sense,” one official said. “The risk far outweighs the reward.” Still, the arrests keep coming. This case is just the latest in a string of drug smuggling attempts. It follows the June 22 capture of an Eastern European man—also caught at Suvarnabhumi.
A 50-year-old Romanian woman was arrested at Suvarnabhumi Airport on July 26. She attempted to smuggle 3.56 kilograms of heroin out of Thailand. The drugs were valued at over ฿1 million (approximately $30,000), officials confirmed.
The egregious nature of the offence, which brings with it harsh punishment before the Thai courts in contrast to the relatively limited value of these consignments, is beginning to puzzle Thai officials.
The arrest was announced Saturday by the Thai Customs Department. Authorities said the suspect was trying to fly to Taiwan via Hanoi on Vietnam Airlines. However, she never made it to the boarding gate.
Intelligence-led customs operation intercepts Romanian suspect before boarding flight to Taiwan via Hanoi
According to officials, the operation was based on prior intelligence. Authorities had been tracking the suspect since her arrival in Thailand. As a result, she was flagged at the check-in counter for Vietnam Airlines.
At that point, customs officers requested her suitcase for X-ray screening. Suspicious images appeared on the monitor. Therefore, the suitcase was pulled aside for manual inspection.
Inside, officers discovered a backpack and a bedding set. Both items appeared unusually bulky. A closer search revealed hidden packages of white powder.
Testing was done on the spot. Officials used the ONCB051 MARQUIS REAGENT test. When the reagent turned purple, it confirmed the substance was heroin.
The heroin weighed a total of 3.56 kilograms. Officials estimate its street value at ฿1,068,000, or roughly $30,000. Although this may seem small by global standards, the punishment under Thai law is severe.
Suspect faces life imprisonment as drug syndicate tactics worry Thai authorities and law enforcement
Phanthong Loykulnan, spokesman for the Thai Customs Department, confirmed the charges. He said the woman faces prosecution under Thailand’s 2017 Customs Act. The charges include illegal export of a Category 1 narcotic and possession of a controlled substance.
In Thailand, heroin is classified as a Category 1 narcotic. This means it carries the harshest penalties available. Offenders can face life imprisonment or, in some cases, even the death penalty.
Meanwhile, the case has sparked wider concern among Thai law enforcement. Officials believe that drug syndicates may be targeting foreign nationals as drug mules. These networks are highly organised and difficult to dismantle.
In fact, the Romanian woman’s arrest is not an isolated case. Rather, it is part of a worrying trend. Since June 22, there have been at least three arrests involving Western tourists and heroin trafficking.
American arrested in similar case as Thai authorities warn of rising heroin smuggling by Westerners
On July 18, Thai police arrested a 60-year-old American man at Phuket International Airport. He was caught attempting to smuggle 6.6 kilograms of heroin to France. That case involved nearly double the amount found in the Romanian woman’s luggage.
According to police, the American’s arrest was the third heroin bust involving a Western national in just one month. The two previous arrests occurred at Suvarnabhumi Airport, highlighting a consistent pattern.
Officials believe this uptick is not random. Instead, they suspect drug networks are shifting tactics. Syndicates may be targeting desperate or unwitting tourists to move larger shipments through Thai airports.
“As the risks rise for locals, criminals look for foreigners,” one senior narcotics officer said. “They’re banking on tourists drawing less suspicion.”
Furthermore, Suvarnabhumi Airport remains a prime focus for drug smugglers. Thailand’s geographic location makes it a key hub for regional trafficking. Drugs from the Golden Triangle often pass through here en route to global markets.
Customs increase cooperation and detection as traffickers test airport defences with mule shipments
Consequently, customs and airport authorities have intensified screening and intelligence-sharing. The Romanian woman’s arrest was the result of such coordination.
The operation involved multiple agencies. These included the Customs Department’s Investigation and Suppression Division, the Airport Interdiction Task Force (AITF), the Suvarnabhumi Passenger Inspection Office, and narcotics suppression police.
Together, these teams have become more effective at spotting high-risk passengers. In fact, drug detection rates at Thai airports have improved this fiscal year.
From October 1, 2024, to July 24, 2025, Thai authorities recorded 187 narcotics seizures. These cases involved heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine (ice) and methamphetamine pills. Altogether, the confiscated drugs were valued at more than ฿1.157 billion.
Despite these successes, officials are cautious. “Every arrest is progress,” the senior officer said. “But it also shows traffickers are still testing our defences.”
Thailand remains one of Asia’s strictest countries on drug crimes. The government has a firm policy of zero tolerance. Additionally, foreign nationals are not spared from harsh penalties.
Romanian suspect held in undisclosed facility as officials probe links to wider drug trafficking network
The Romanian woman remains in custody and is being held at an undisclosed detention facility. Officials have not released her name pending further investigation. She is expected to appear before a Thai court later this month.
Authorities are also investigating whether she acted alone or as part of a larger network. For now, no other arrests have been made in connection with the case. But law enforcement officials say more developments could follow.
3rd western tourist arrested smuggling heroin out of Thailand. This time, an American at Phuket Airport
Canadian nabbed at Suvarnabhumi Airport trying to smuggle 3kg of heroin hidden in women’s handbags
Elderly Latvian arrested at Suvarnabhumi Airport trying to smuggle heroin out of Laos to Malaysia
In the meantime, travelers are being urged to stay vigilant. Customs warns tourists not to carry items for strangers. Even small favours can carry deadly consequences.
“This case is a warning,” said one airport official. “If you break the law in Thailand, you will be caught. And the price is high.”
As more Westerners are arrested, officials believe traffickers may be changing their methods—but not their mission. Therefore, Thai authorities say they will remain alert.
“Traffickers evolve,” said the official. “But so do we.”
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Further reading:
Canadian nabbed at Suvarnabhumi Airport trying to smuggle 3kg of heroin hidden in women’s handbags
Elderly Latvian arrested at Suvarnabhumi Airport trying to smuggle heroin out of Laos to Malaysia
UK holiday maker to Thailand lands in Heathrow Airport London with £1 million worth of cannabis
Dark web Xanax counterfeiting gang managed from Thailand smashed in the UK with 10 people convicted
Unlikely rags to riches convict star arrested again in Thailand over online gambling promotion
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