***File photo***
In the Air Hostess Meena case, authorities recently expanded the investigation to arrest "Aekwit," who hid heroin in an elephant-patterned cloth bag in Phayao province. The drugs were sent to "Uthai" before being forwarded to the air hostess's condominium.
On 10 Jul 2026 GMT+7, progress in the "Air Hostess Meena case" was reported. Officers from the Phayao Provincial Police Investigation Division, in cooperation with Metropolitan Police and Narcotics Suppression Division investigators, tracked down and arrested a transnational drug trafficking network operating in Phayao. This action was an extension of the heroin concealment case involving the elephant-patterned cloth bag given to the air hostess.
They arrested an additional suspect, Mr. Aekwit, a resident of Phayao province, who supplied heroin to Mr. Uthai before it was passed on to air hostess Meena. Authorities are currently interrogating him to expand the investigation and identify other involved parties. He will be transferred to Bangkok for prosecution.
Initial investigations revealed that Mr. Aekwit transported heroin packed in an elephant cloth bag and delivered it to Mr. Uthai, who traveled from Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya to Phayao by bus. Mr. Uthai rented a room near the bus terminal for three days and rented a motorcycle locally in Phayao to receive the drugs. He then smuggled them back by bus to Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, where a black sedan picked up the elephant bag concealing the drugs and delivered it to Ms. Meena.
Authorities initially uncovered financial transfers into Mr. Uthai's wife's bank account in two installments: 200,000 baht and 800,000 baht, totaling 1 million baht. Investigations are ongoing to determine the source of these funds and their connection to the drug trafficking network. Mr. Aekwit was responsible for depositing the cash into the account. He is currently in custody for interrogation to further investigate the network.