A Thai couple who hid 600 grammes of crystal methamphetamine in their rectums have been arrested as they were trying to smuggle the drugs out of the country.
The suspects -- Chaisin Mekpho, 42, and his wife Rattanaphon Khamphit, 36 -- were intercepted by immigration police on May 4 when they had their passports checked at Don Mueang airport, acting Immigration Bureau chief Sompong Chingduang said yesterday.
A total of 51 packages of drugs wrapped in transparent plastic tape were found during cavity searches, according to the inspection team. Both were about to take a flight to Denpasar in Bali, Indonesia, but their travel plans were cut short by a tip-off from a police informant. They later allegedly admitted to having been hired by a woman from the Philippines to transport the drugs to the popular tourist island, Pol Lt Gen Sompong said.
Meanwhile, his agency also nabbed a Chinese criminal suspect at the airport on Sunday. Lu Dayang, listed on an Interpol red notice, is wanted by the Chinese after he was accused of being involved in transporting contraband.
The Chinese national managed to escape from custody earlier and was believed to have been hiding in Thailand as he arrived in the country on May 8. Immigration police earlier allowed Mr Lu to stay in the kingdom until yesterday, but his visa was revoked after the Chinese embassy informed officers of his criminal record. The man was picked up by police as he was planning to fly to Macao.