BANGKOK, June 23 – Thai police arrested five Iranian nationals in three separate drug smuggling cases with about 5.8 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine, commonly known as ‘ice’ at Suvarnabhumi Airport said Pol Lt-Gen Adithep Panjamanont, commander of the Narcotics Suppression Bureau at a press briefing on Thursday.
Sara Faramazi, 25, and Alireza Rezaei, 23, were apprehended with 2,870 grammes of crystal meth hidden in their luggage and some cash including US$1,172 and 20,000 Iranian Rial (less than US$2).
Meanwhile, Mohammad Sedigh Ghobadi, 32, was detained with 1,550 grammes of ‘ice’ and some cash including $500 and 295,000 Iranian Rial ($26) and two cheques valued at 1,000,000 Iranian Rial ($90) in total.
In the third case, the police arrested Sara Hatami, 32 and Ahmad Heidari, and seized 1,400 grammes of ice and $1,405, 5,500 Thai baht ($180), 113,500 Iranian Rial ($10.25) and 21,500 Iraqi Dinar ($18.4).
All of them were arrested at Suvarnabhumi Airport after boarding EY 402 flight of Etihad Airways from Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. After questioning, they confessed they were hired by foreigners to carry ice on board.
Each drug courier was paid $1,000 and they were to receive more after their task was finished. The drugs were destined for Malaysia, they said, and this is the third time they tried to smuggle ice.
The authorities will continue investigation to arrest other members of the drug syndicate overseas. (MCOT online news)
