American was arrested at Phuket Airport for Attempting to Smuggle Heroin

Phuket Tourist Police Investigation, in collaboration with Customs Suppression Division and Sub-Division 2, Narcotics Suppression Bureau 4 (Phuket Narcotics Suppression Bureau) arrested a foreigner smuggling drugs out of the country at Phuket Airport.

Following the Tourist Police receiving cooperation from foreign officials, who reported an American man who was involved in smuggling drugs out of the country.

Pol. Lt. Gen. Saksira Phueak-am, Commander of the Tourist Police, therefore ordered Pol. Col. Naraphon Wattanakaratwi, Superintendent of the Tourist Police Division 2, Tourist Police Bureau 3, and Pol. Lt. Col. Pitiya Thepmuang, Investigation Officer of the Tourist Police Division 2, Tourist Police Bureau 3, to investigate and arrest the suspect. The results of the operation are as follows:

The investigation team investigated from from July 14 to July 16, 2025, when they discovered the residence of the target, a 60-year-old American citizen named Mr. Tyler Truong Luong. They followed him from his home to the airport in Phuket.

As a result, the arresting team came forward and asked for a search while checking in and loading the bags. Something strange was discovered by an X-ray. As a result, the arresting team therefore revealed themselves and requested a search. Evidence of heroin, a white powder, was discovered in the search results. It was wrapped in yellow tape, placed in a clear plastic bag, and contained ten boxes of non-dairy creamers of the Coffee Mate brand, weighing 6.6 kg in total.

The suspect admitted that a French friend had called him to ask for assistance in returning his belongings to France. Before continuing on to France, the suspect is scheduled to fly from Phuket to Doha Airport in Qatar, then take another flight to Brussels, Belgium. The arresting team will then proceed with their investigation.