German sought over 6.6 tonnes of marijuana arrested in Bangkok
Thai immigration police announced on 12 April 2006 they had arrested German national Dieter Meier in Bangkok on a German court's warrants accusing him and seven accomplices of smuggling marijuana 351 times between 1997 and 2005, totalling 6,661 kilograms. He faced deportation to Germany.
Thai immigration police announced on 12 April 2006 that they had arrested German national Dieter Meier in Bangkok on narcotics charges.[1]A German court had issued arrest warrants for Meier and seven accomplices for smuggling marijuana 351 times between 1997 and 2005, with the cannabis weighing 6,661 kilograms and valued at 221 million baht (about US$5.5 million).[1]
Immigration Bureau commissioner Suwat Thumrongsiskul told a press conference that Meier had fled to Thailand to escape prosecution and married a Thai woman, but Thai police tracked him down.[1]He said Meier would be deported to Germany.[1]
Case data
Every number and detail the sources state, with the sources that state it.
At least eleven young French nationals have been held in Thailand on cannabis trafficking accusations since June 2026, and two more are detained in Hong Kong after arriving from Thailand with cannabis in their suitcases. French prosecutors opened an investigation into the "plan Thaïlande" recruitment of young people on social media with free holidays in exchange for carrying a suitcase.
Phuket customs arrested two Swiss and two French travellers on 27 July 2026 with more than 33.6 kg of cannabis in their luggage. The Swiss pair said Snapchat recruiters promised a paid holiday and 8,000 francs to bring back a suitcase they believed held iPhones.
Customs officers detained 30-year-old Russian Sergei Chalabari at Phuket airport on 8 July 2026 with 17.6 kg of cannabis flowers and resin in two suitcases bound for Kazakhstan. He admitted the luggage was his, was charged with attempted export without customs clearance and handed to Sakhu police.
Customs officers arrested 21-year-old Belgian tourist Salma E.K. at Phuket airport on 7 July 2026 with about 31.7 kg of cannabis in two suitcases bound for Paris. She admitted the luggage was hers and was handed to Sakhu police charged with attempted unlawful export, facing up to 10 years in prison.
