World · East Asia & Pacific · 1 hr ago
Swiss teenager remains jailed in Thailand after cannabis smuggling arrest
Two young men, aged 18 and 19, from Switzerland’s Vaud canton were arrested at Phuket airport in Thailand after cannabis was found in their luggage.
They had accepted a social media offer for a two-week trip, with flights, a hotel and spending money covered, in exchange for bringing back a suitcase said to contain iPhones.
The day before their return, their suitcases were exchanged at their hotel, and they were stopped at the airport before boarding their flight.
The accounts differ on how much cannabis was found: one says 16 kilograms in total, while the other says about 16 kilograms in each man’s luggage.
One man paid about 18,000 Swiss francs and was able to leave Thailand; the 18-year-old remains in jail because his mother could not raise the roughly 4,000 francs demanded for his release in time.
He is awaiting trial, which one account says should begin soon, and his mother has borrowed money to cover legal costs and other possible demands.
Their lawyer says similar offences can lead to prison terms of one to ten years, depending on the amount and circumstances.
An 18-year-old Swiss man remains in detention in Thailand and is awaiting trial after cannabis was found in luggage at Phuket airport.
He and a 19-year-old friend from the canton of Vaud had accepted a social-media offer of a paid trip, with a return suitcase said to contain iPhones.
Thai authorities found cannabis in the luggage; the reports differ on whether the 16 kilograms were in total or in each man’s luggage.
The friend paid about 18,000 Swiss francs and was able to leave Thailand without a criminal record, according to RTS.
The 18-year-old’s mother could not raise the roughly 4,000 francs demanded for his release in time.
- Who
- Two young Swiss men, aged 18 and 19, from the canton of Vaud.
- What
- They were arrested after cannabis was found in their luggage. The 18-year-old remains detained and is awaiting trial.
- When
- They arrived in Thailand on July 13; SRF reports that they were arrested at the end of July.
- Where
- At Phuket airport in Thailand.
- Why
- They had accepted an offer to carry a suitcase back to Switzerland, which they were told contained iPhones.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The two men arrived in Bangkok and travelled on to Phuket.
Recruiters told the men to leave their suitcases at the hotel reception; when they collected them, the suitcases had been exchanged.
SRF reports that the two men were arrested at Phuket airport after cannabis was found in their luggage.
The 19-year-old paid about 18,000 Swiss francs and left Thailand; the 18-year-old remained in detention awaiting trial.
- Age
- 18 and 19
- Home canton
- Vaud, Switzerland
- Travel offer
- Two weeks in Thailand, including flights, hotel and 600 Swiss francs spending money
- Promised payment
- 8,000 Swiss francs for carrying a suitcase back
- Cannabis
- 16 kilograms in total, according to Watson; around 16 kilograms each, according to SRF
- Release amount
- About 4,000 Swiss francs demanded for the 18-year-old’s release
What people are saying
It is difficult to sleep at night. There is one person missing at home. I don’t know where he is, where he sleeps, what he eats.
It is a criminal offence, but it is also a customs violation. If you pay the fine to customs, you can leave with your passport as if nothing happened.
For the parents, it is difficult and sad.
Sources
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