Aussie busted with 22kg of meth in Thailand

An Australian man was caught trying to smuggle 22kg of meth onto a plane from Thailand to Melbourne, with authorities finding the drugs in his luggage.

An Australian tourist was arrested for allegedly trying to smuggle 22kg of meth through an airport in Thailand.

The 28-year-old was reportedly caught with the drugs while trying to board a plane at the Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok on May 18, according to Asia Pacific Press.

An Australian tourist was arrested at a Thai airport trying to smuggle 22kg of meth hidden in his luggage. Picture: Asia Pacific Press

Staff flagged his belongings after finding “density abnormalities” in his luggage during inspections.

They said they rifled through the bags and discovered the plastic packs of methamphetamine inside.

The Aussie tourist was due to fly to Melbourne on a Thai Airways flight but was arrested before boarding.

Staff flagged his belongings after finding ‘density abnormalities’ in his luggage during inspections. Picture: Asia Pacific Press

The Aussie tourist was due to fly to Melbourne on a Thai Airways flight but was arrested before boarding. Picture: Asia Pacific Press

“The owner of the bag was an Australian passenger who was trying to take the crystal meth to Australia, where its value would increase tenfold,” Phanthong Loykunlanan, spokesman of the Customs Department, said.

“We believe the suspect was not selling the drugs himself. In previous cases, the tourists we arrested were just couriers delivering the drugs to a drugs network in the country of destination.

“They may have been in debt or were hired, but they are not the sellers themselves.”

Mr Loykunlanan said as for where the drugs came from, “we cannot say because the case is under investigation”.

Meth is classified as a category 1 substance in Thailand.

Under Thai law, using category 1 substances may be punished with up to three years in jail and a fine of up to 60,000 baht, while possession carries a fine of up to 200,000 baht – $A9500 – and up to 10 years imprisonment.

Those convicted of dealing may face life imprisonment and a five million baht fine, depending on the amount involved.

Producers, importers, and exporters of Category 1 substances face the same charges and may face the death penalty if it is proven their intent was to sell or distribute on a large scale.