Narcotics Suppression Police filed remand requests for Uthai and Nantawat, two suspects involved in trafficking and destroying seized heroin linked to the flight attendant Mina case, while opposing bail over fears they might flee due to flight risk.
On 6 July 2026 at the Criminal Court on Ratchadapisek Road, investigators from the Narcotics Suppression Division 1 brought Uthai Kanapiwat, 47, and Nantawat Yingpattanawong, 47, suspects charged with jointly distributing Category 1 narcotics (heroin) without authorization for commercial purposes, for their first remand hearing.
Case summary: The Australian Federal Police office in Bangkok notified the Royal Thai Police Commander about the arrest of flight attendant Mina, who arrived at Melbourne Airport from Bangkok on 25 June 2026. Australian Border Force officers found irregularities in 12 cloth bags among her luggage, detecting approximately 900 grams of white substance hidden in two bag linings.
Initially, Mina stated she transported goods from a Facebook source and carried the bags for a user named Rose Rose. The bags had been sent since 5 June 2026 to be delivered to a person named “Dear” at a Melbourne hotel. She denied knowing they contained drugs. Thai police investigation led to suspecting a man named Uthai, who was identified as having left the parcel at Mina’s building.
During questioning about their connection to the case, Uthai admitted hiding the remaining heroin in a rented room in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province, which belonged to his friend Nantawat, age 47. Nantawat acknowledged that on 30 June 2026, Uthai brought six black bags inside cloth bags printed with elephants containing the drugs to him for safekeeping.
Later, Uthai instructed Nantawat to dispose of the drugs. Nantawat decided to destroy the cloth bags and flushed the hidden drugs down the toilet in his room. He consented to a search by authorities, which found no illegal items. Nantawat admitted after destroying the drugs, he also discarded the cloth bags and fabric remnants containing drug powder at three different locations near a dormitory in Kamang Subdistrict, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya District.
Their actions violated the Criminal Code, Sections 1, 29(1), 90, 134, first paragraph of 145, second paragraph of 145(1), 152, and the Ministry of Public Health’s 2022 announcement listing Category 1 narcotics. Both suspects confessed during the investigation.
At the end of the petition, investigators noted this is an extended investigation of a transnational network stemming from the flight attendant’s arrest in Australia for smuggling heroin hidden in luggage. Further investigation requires testimonies from 10 more witnesses, forensic analysis of evidence, fingerprint checks, and criminal records of both suspects. They requested a 12-day remand from 6 to 17 July 2026.
If the suspects request bail, investigators oppose it due to the high penalties involved and concern that both might flee, making future prosecution difficult.
Additionally, investigators filed a remand petition No. Yor Por 1584/2569 for Uthai on charges of participation in a transnational criminal organization. The Criminal Court reviewed the petition and authorized the remand as requested.