Airport checks tightened in 'Meena' heroin probe

PUBLISHED : 14 Jul 2026 at 04:40

Authorities have widened their investigation into a transnational drug network linked to Thai Airways flight attendant Meena Kondo and tightened airport screening of airline crews.

Justice Minister Pol Lt Gen Rutthapon Naowarat said the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) and Narcotics Suppression Bureau had intensified their investigations, with police identifying several more suspects linked to the operation.

Airports of Thailand (AoT) has strengthened security, particularly for airline personnel travelling overseas. The measures include deploying more sniffer dogs, expanding the use of screening equipment and conducting random inspections of crew luggage.

Authorities are also monitoring social media pages offering parcel-carrying services to identify airline employees who may be acting as couriers.

Pol Lt Gen Rutthapon said the measures should have little effect on ordinary travellers, whose screening procedures would remain unchanged.

Airline crews, however, were likely to face closer scrutiny because previous operational exemptions had created security gaps.

ONCB Secretary-General Pol Maj Suriya Singhakamol said investigations into Ms Meena's case and separate cannabis-smuggling operations targeting Australia and Taiwan had led to several arrests.

Those arrested included Lao and Thai nationals, couriers and people awaiting deliveries overseas. Investigators had also traced the heroin shipment to its suspected owner, who had fled Thailand, he said.

Pol Maj Suriya said the network had not been completely dismantled. The Royal Thai Police, ONCB and Department of Special Investigation were continuing efforts to identify other suspects.

Asked whether further arrests could help Ms Meena's case, including by reducing any sentence she might face in Australia, he said Australian proceedings were independent.

Meanwhile, the Criminal Court recently denied bail to Ekkawit Yongnichakul, who is accused of delivering the elephant-pattern suitcase used to conceal the heroin.

The court cited the seriousness of the alleged offences, the organised nature of the operation, the quantity of drugs involved and the risk of flight in ordering him detained pending trial.