Two Nigerian nationals identified as Ugorji Jordan Ibeakama, 51, and Joachin Onuabuchi Maduako,56, and a Thai woman have been arrested in Bangkok following the seizure of 8.5 kilogrammes of heroin found stuffed into fruit cans destined for Hong Kong.
The trio were arrested on Wednesday, March 1, 2023, after officials from the Airport Interdiction Task Force (AITF) and other agencies inspected 11 parcels of canned fruit at a private firm in Bangkok on Tuesday.
The Secretary-General of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) Wichai Chaimongkol, said the parcels were destined for Hong Kong
One of the parcels was found to contain 8.5 kilogrammes of heroin found stuffed into fruit cans. Someone later contacted the firm about making a change in delivery. The task force asked that person to come and pick up the parcels.
Wischai said this led to the arrest of the two Nigerian nationals on Wednesday.
A further investigation led to the arrest of Sujitra Phuasuwan, 30, in the Suan Luang area of Bangkok later that day.
The arresting team found no illicit drugs on the suspects but seized documents from them for examination, Mr. Wichai said.
Also seized were two cars, 100,000 baht in cash, and a bank account with 60,000 baht on deposit.
Authorities are investigating whether another Thai woman whose name appeared on the parcels as the sender was involved in drug smuggling or not.
According to Mr. Wichai, if she was found to have allowed the suspects to use her ID card to send the parcels, she could be convicted of an offence under the narcotic code that carries a jail term of up to three years and/or a fine of up to 60,000 baht.