A British tourist in Thailand has been detained for allegedly trying to smuggle 38 kilos of cannabis onto a London-bound flight.
Daniel-James Hallett, 38, could face up to ten years in prison if convicted after Thai officials allegedly found 35 vacuum-sealed bags of cannabis inside his luggage while he was boarding a flight from Krabi International Airport at the weekend.
The bags were flagged during security checks and were reportedly wrapped tightly in a bid to prevent any smell from escaping, The Telegraph reported.
The Hull-based tanker driver was detained by local police and is being held at Nuea Khlong District police station.
While cannabis is not illegal in Thailand, importing or exporting the drug remains illegal, and is severely punished.
Mr Hallet has been charged both with violating the Thai customs act and breaking laws on controlled substances.
Apichat Jinaphen, the superintendent of the Nuea Khlong District police station, told local media: “Although cannabis is not illegal in Thailand, importing or exporting it without permission is against the law.
“Mr Daniel was arrested for attempting to export goods without customs clearance, violating the Customs Act and Traditional Thai Medicine Protection and Promotion Act regarding controlled herbs for commercial purposes.
“Mr Daniel was held at the station for two days before court proceedings. The penalty could include imprisonment for up to ten years, a fine, or both, in addition to the confiscation of the seized items.”
Police in the country are warning tourists to take heed of Thailand’s strict laws barring the importing and exporting of cannabis after a series of cases involving Brits.
This includes the case of a 19-year-old British woman who was allegedly caught with 35 kilos of cannabis while trying to board a plane at the Chiang Mai International Airport on March 4.
