UPDATE: Russian man arrested at Phuket airport with 17.6kg of cannabis

A 30-year-old Russian man identified as Sergei Sharabari was arrested at Phuket International Airport after authorities found more than 17 kilogrammes of cannabis flowers and resin concealed in his luggage before he was due to board a flight to Kazakhstan.

The arrest took place at about 10:00 on July 8, 2026, in the international departures terminal at Phuket International Airport in Mai Khao. Authorities said officers from Phuket Airport Customs, working with Sakhu Police, stopped the suspect while he was travelling with two blue BP WORLD wheeled suitcases.

Authorities said customs officers led by Rawin Kanakakorn and police searched the two suitcases, which weighed a combined 8 kilogrammes. The search uncovered 35 vacuum-sealed packages of cannabis flowers weighing 11.4 kilogrammes including packaging, and 12 packages of cannabis resin weighing 6.2kg including packaging.

The drugs had an estimated street value of more than 9.5 million baht, authorities said. The cannabis and both suitcases were seized as evidence.

During questioning, the suspect reportedly acknowledged ownership of the luggage and the cannabis products and said he intended to bring them to Almaty in Kazakhstan.

Police charged him with attempting to smuggle goods out of Thailand without going through customs procedures. He was later handed over, along with the seized evidence, to investigators at Sakhu Police Station for further legal action.

Authorities said that although Thailand has relaxed cannabis regulations in recent years, the export of cannabis and cannabis-derived products remains subject to Thai customs laws and the import regulations of the destination country. Attempting to export such products without complying with customs procedures constitutes an offence under Thai law.