Travel fail: French man drops cocaine in front of Phuket airport officer

2026-02-06 - 05:36

PHUKET — A French tourist has been arrested after cocaine was found at Phuket International Airport, police said. Sakhu police were alerted by airport security officers on 5 February 2026 after 10 small bags of a white powder, later identified as cocaine, were found at the domestic departure baggage screening area. The total weight was 7.55 grammes. The suspect was later identified as Najib Aftat, 46, a French national. CCTV footage showed the bags falling from the suspect’s trousers, police said. Officers questioned Aftat, who admitted the cocaine belonged to him. During further questioning, the suspect told police that more drugs were kept at his apartment in Wichit subdistrict, Muang district, Phuket. He then led officers to the room, where they seized additional illegal drugs. Police said they found 13 bags of pink powder ecstasy weighing 6.79 grammes, and nine bags containing 44 pink ecstasy tablets. Aftat has been charged with possession of a category 2 narcotic (cocaine) for sale, possession of a category 1 narcotic (ecstasy) for sale, use of category 1 narcotics (methamphetamine), and use of category 2 narcotics (ketamine). He was taken into custody for legal proceedings.