Prosecutors have ordered the urgent conclusion of an investigation into a transnational drug network linked to a Thai Airways flight attendant, setting Sept 14 as the deadline to prevent three detained suspects from being released.
Watcharin Phanurat, director-general of the Office of Investigation under the Office of the Attorney-General, chaired a meeting with Narcotics Suppression Bureau investigators on Wednesday to review the case involving Meena Kondo, the flight attendant accused of smuggling heroin into Australia. She was arrested on June 25 at Melbourne Airport, where authorities found about 1kg of heroin in her tote bags.
Three suspects — Uthai, Nantawat and Ekkawit — have been arrested in Thailand. Uthai allegedly acted as the courier, Nantawat allegedly stored the drugs, while Ekkawit allegedly delivered bags containing heroin to Ms Meena.
A woman called Chantra, also known as “Rose Rose”, who is believed to be Mr Ekkawit’s elder sister-in-law, is the key suspect and remains at large.
As the alleged offences occurred in Thailand and Australia, the case is classified as an extraterritorial case under the sole authority of the Attorney-General, Mr Watcharin said. The investigation was therefore assigned to a joint team of prosecutors and narcotics investigators.
The three detained suspects have about 15 days remaining in their detention period. Mr Watcharin ordered the team to complete the investigation as quickly as possible, preferably by Sept 11 and no later than Sept 14, so the case can be submitted for a decision before their detention period expires.
The suspects face four main charges: conspiracy to commit a serious drug offence; jointly trafficking and exporting heroin for commercial purposes; participating in a transnational criminal organisation; and helping others evade punishment or destroying, concealing or removing evidence.