Russian Man Arrested at Phuket Airport With Over 17kg of Cannabis

PHUKET – A 30-year-old Russian man was arrested at Phuket International Airport after customs officers and police found more than 17 kilogrammes of cannabis and resin in his luggage. He was preparing to board a flight to Kazakhstan when officers searched two blue wheeled suitcases and found the drugs inside. Officers discovered the stash in the international departure terminal on Wednesday. The suitcases belonged to Sergei Sharabari, and the search turned up 11.4 kilogrammes of cannabis flowers, including packaging, along with 6.2 kilogrammes of cannabis resin, also with packaging. Police said the total value of the seized cannabis was more than 9.5 million baht. Both suitcases were taken as evidence. During questioning, Sharabari reportedly said the cannabis products were his and that he intended to carry them to Almaty in Kazakhstan. Police then charged him with attempting to export goods without going through customs procedures. He was later taken, along with the seized evidence, to investigators at Sakhu police station. Thai authorities said that even though cannabis rules in Thailand have been relaxed in recent years, exports of cannabis and cannabis-based products still fall under Thai customs laws. Destination countries also have their own import rules. That means anyone trying to take cannabis products out of Thailand must follow the proper customs process. Failing to do so is an offence under Thai law, regardless of the product’s legal status inside the country.