Police arrest couple over heroin haul

A Hong Kong resident and his Thai wife have been arrested in Chon Buri over their alleged involvement with an international drug-smuggling ring based in Hong Kong.

The arrests were carried out by the Seaport Interdiction Task Force (SITF), which includes officers from the Office of Narcotics Control Board (ONCB), Narcotics Suppression Bureau and other agencies.

ONCB secretary-general, Wichai Chaimongkhon, told reporters yesterday that Alijandro Cruz, 30, and his 32-year-old Thai wife, Tiwa Treenop, were arrested at a house in tambon Nong Prue of Bang Lamung district.

Police also found a small amount of ketamine and an instant noodle lidsealing machine in Mr Alijandro’s car.

The pair was wanted on a warrant issued by the Criminal Court on Friday. They were arrested after authorities in Hong Kong contacted the ONCB after they found 61 kilogrammes of heroin hidden inside instant noodles pots.

A SITF investigation revealed the pots were sent from Thailand by Mr Alijandro, Ms Tiwa and their friend, Chua Yik Lam, Mr Wichai said.

Investigators then gathered the required evidence, before asking the court to issue warrants for the trio’s arrest — though police only managed to arrest the couple in the raid.

Mr Wichai also said that police confiscated assets worth 2 million baht including a car, a pickup, two motorbikes, passbooks, a Rolex wristwatch and gold jewellery.