A 29-year-old Ugandan man was arrested in Hat Yai, Songkhla province, after immigration officers discovered more than 16.5 kilograms of cocaine in his possession. The drugs, valued at approximately 30 million baht (around USD 890,000), were allegedly being smuggled from Malaysia into Thailand, with Bangkok identified as the final destination.
The arrest followed a tip-off and subsequent surveillance operation by local immigration authorities. Officers had been monitoring the suspect, identified as Mr. Kazim, who was staying at a hotel in downtown Hat Yai. When he left the premises with a large suitcase, his behavior raised suspicion. Upon questioning, officials found that his passport lacked an entry stamp, prompting further investigation.
Mr. Kazim was taken to the Songkhla Immigration Office for questioning. During the process, officers noticed the abnormal weight of his luggage. A search revealed cocaine hidden within various items, including a backpack, a shoulder bag, shirts, picture frames, and car parts. The narcotics were packed into 41 plastic bags with a combined weight of approximately 16.5 kilograms.
According to authorities, the suspect admitted that he had been recruited by a fellow Ugandan to travel to Malaysia for work. He was later offered USD 1,000 to smuggle the drugs into Thailand and deliver them to a contact in Bangkok. He claimed the logistics of the journey—including transport and routes—had been arranged by others involved in the operation.
Mr. Kazim had reportedly entered Thailand through Narathiwat province from Malaysia’s Kelantan state before traveling to Hat Yai. He planned to continue his journey to Bangkok by bus but was intercepted before reaching the capital.
The suspect has been charged with importing a Category 2 narcotic (cocaine) without permission and entering the Kingdom without authorization. The drugs and related evidence have been seized pending further legal action.
The case forms part of a broader crackdown on transnational narcotics trafficking by immigration authorities in Songkhla. Police Colonel Chinawut Tangwonglert, Superintendent of Songkhla Immigration, stated that enforcement efforts are being stepped up under current policy. He urged members of the public to report any suspicious activity involving foreign nationals, illegal migrants, or unauthorized workers to assist in maintaining public safety.
