Saudi man arrested at Phuket airport with ketamine hidden in underwear

A 28-year-old Saudi Arabian man was arrested at Phuket International Airport after customs officers and police found ketamine capsules hidden in his underwear as he was preparing to leave Thailand.

Officers said the suspect, identified as Mr Khalid Ali Hussein Safi, was stopped at the international departures terminal in Mai Khao at about 8 p.m. on Wednesday, June 3, after a body scanner detected irregularities. A detailed search found a white cloth pouch concealed in his underwear containing 63 red-and-white capsules filled with ketamine powder, weighing about 32 grams, or 0.032 kilograms.

According to officials, Safi had already checked in with Etihad Airways and loaded two pieces of luggage before going through immigration and security screening. His attempt to take the drugs out of the country was stopped after the scanner alert led officers to carry out a further inspection.

Police said a field test using ONCB053 Ketamine Reagent produced a light purple colour, indicating the substance was ketamine, which is classified as a Category 2 narcotic under Thai law.

Authorities also seized two iPhones as evidence.

Safi was charged with exporting a Category 2 narcotic from Thailand without permission, possession of a Category 2 narcotic without permission and offences under the Customs Act. He was later handed over to investigators at Sakhu Police Station for further legal action.

Police Colonel Salan Santisasanakul, chief of Sakhu Police, said authorities were continuing efforts to prevent airports from being used as routes for international drug trafficking. Investigators are also examining whether the suspect may be connected to a wider smuggling network.