Officers apprehended the 24-year-old New Zealand man (name not reported) at the international arrivals hall at about 3:10pm yesterday (Apr 8), Phuket Airport Immigration reported.
Officers discovered approximately 0.18 grammes of cocaine concealed in a clear plastic bag tucked inside his passport.
The man was taken to Sakhu Police Station and charged with importing and possessing a Category 2 narcotic.
In a separate incident, Phuket Immigration arrested a 30-year-old Russian man identified only as ‘Mr Sergey’ at a luxury hotel in Phuket Town. Officers confirmed that he had overstayed his visa by more than 332 days.
According to immigration officials, Mr Sergey admitted to staying in the country illegally for several years and said he had frequently changed accommodation to avoid detection.
He was charged with remaining in the Kingdom after his visa had expired and handed over to Phuket City Police for prosecution.
Phuket Immigration said both cases underscore their continued efforts to clamp down on drug offenses and visa violations on the island.
Additional reporting by Eakkapop Thongtub