A Briton faces jail in Thailand after cocaine fell from their pocket at Phuket Airport, sparking a security incident.
Marc, age 42, flew to Phuket from Shanghai. Officers stopped him, and he threw a fit there. Cocaine then dropped from his pocket apparently. He had a total meltdown at that point.Police tested the powder afterwards. They confirmed that it was a Class A drug.
The incident happened on February 18. Marc started raging and rolling around. He seemed to try to distract officers. However, 4.11 grams of cocaine came out. He kept flailing even after that, spreading the white powder on the floor.
A video showed him hitting his chest and begging for help. Thailand punishes cocaine possession severely. It can lead to 20 years to life behind bars. Marc seemed very panicked in the video. He then kicked his legs and said he would die.
Police arrested Marc and seized the plastic bag with powder. Airport police tested the powder again later and verified it was a Class A drug. Marc arrived on a Juneyao Air flight HO 1323. He didn’t raise concerns at first sight.
A police major, Akkarapon Akkraphon who works at the airport, spoke about the incident. He charged Marc with importing narcotics and illegal possession of cocaine. He was handed over to Sakhu Police for legal action.
Thai law lists cocaine as a category 2 narcotic. This crime carries a life sentence plus a fine. Fines range from 2 to 5 million Baht. That is about £47,151 to £117,878 usually. Tourists sometimes negotiate sentences, though, and Thai officials may prefer this.
Another British tourist was arrested in Phuket last May. Jamie Louis Swain is from Enfield, north London. Officers found cocaine in his passport, and Jamie seemed surprised and started swearing. Authorities did further inspections because of this reaction.
Police took Jamie Swain into custody and to court. He reappeared in England later. His mum claimed police framed him, and he eventually went home safe.