KOH SAMUI, THAILAND — Thai Immigration Police have arrested one of four British nationals suspected of masterminding a large-scale cannabis smuggling operation on Koh Samui, following the seizure of over 600 kilograms of cannabis intended for export, mainly to London.
The suspect, identified only as Mr. Adel, 30, was apprehended on April 10, 2025, at a luxury condominium in central Bangkok. Police say Adel fled the island after several arrests were made in March, including 16 individuals caught with the cannabis at Samui Airport in Surat Thani province.
According to Police Major General Nattakorn Praphayon, Deputy Commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, the British group played key roles in the smuggling scheme—handling everything from logistics and courier recruitment to arranging accommodations and storing the drugs before export.
An arrest warrant was issued by the Koh Samui Provincial Court on April 9, leading to Adel’s capture. He now faces multiple charges:
Attempting to export goods without customs clearance
Attempting to export controlled herbal plants (cannabis flowers)
Possession of controlled herbal plants for sale without authorization
He has been transferred to Bo Phut Police Station for legal proceedings.
Photos shared by officials earlier in March showed dried cannabis flowers packed in seven suitcases belonging to four British tourists and a Malaysian national. The drugs were seized as part of a broader operation to dismantle the international smuggling network.
Police say three other British suspects remain at large. Their arrest warrants have been flagged in the Immigration Bureau’s biometric tracking system, ensuring they are blocked from exiting Thailand.
Police Major General Songprod Sirisukha, Commander of Immigration Division 6, confirmed that National Police Chief General Kit Rat Phanphet has ordered a crackdown on foreign criminals exploiting Thailand as a base for illegal activities.
Authorities are urging the public to report suspicious behavior to the Immigration Bureau, which operates a 24-hour hotline.
