A Thai couple travelling abroad for the first time flew to Narita airport in Japan from Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok – and were left confused when they couldn’t open some else’s suitcase
Thailand: Couple accidentally pick up suitcase containing 24kg of cannabis
A couple travelling abroad for the first time accidentally collected the wrong suitcase at the airport – and were left horrified by its contents when they innocently opened it.
The unnamed man and woman carried one red bag and a black case between them during their trip. Their holiday had been meticulously planned by their daughter, as the couple had never gone abroad before. They flew to Suvarnabhumi Airport, in Bangkok, Thailand, from Surat Thani International Airport, in Hua Toei, before boarding a connecting flight to Narita Airport, in Japan. But upon arrival at Suvarnabhumi, the Thai nationals mistakenly picked up a black suitcase which belonged to another passenger.
READ MORE: Men working in hi-vis exposed as ‘highly sophisticated and dangerous’ crime gang
The rightful owner of the case alerted airport staff in the meantime, telling them that his suitcase was missing. A black suitcase remained unclaimed, with staff attempting to contact the phone number registered to the case. The number belonged to the couples’ daughter due to her planning their trip, and she did not answer the phone, leaving the issue unresolved.
Four hours passed as the couple waited at the airport for their next flight, which they boarded. They landed in Japan, and the couple attempted to get out some of their toiletries from the black suitcase.
It quickly became apparent that something was wrong, as they were unable to open the case. Feeling confused, they called their daughter who instructed them to check the baggage tag.
They were with a Thai tour guide at the time, who looked at the tag and spotted an unknown person’s name on there. While others who were on the tour gathered around the case, they were able to break into it and were shocked at what was inside.
The black suitcase was stuffed with 24kg of dried cannabis, and the discovery was reported to the airport authorities immediately. An intense investigation began with officers spending over nine hours determining details surrounding the luggage.
Eventually, Japanese customs came to the conclusion that the couple had no intention of smuggling illegal substances into the country. They were all set to stay in accommodation close to Mount Fuji, but due to the ordeal, had to spend a night in a hotel closer to the airport.
Luckily, they were able to make it over to where they were supposed to be staying the next day. The tour guide expressed his shock towards the situation in his post online.
“How did 24kg of cannabis make it through Surat Thani International Airport to Suvarnabhumi Airport,” he said. “And how did it go undetected again at Suvarnabhumi Airport before being transported all the way to Narita?
“Thank you to everyone who expressed their concern. Thank you for every moment that made me lucky and survive safely.”
