A 32-year-old South African woman identified only as Jali has been arrested by the police authorities in Thailand after she was allegedly nabbed with 16 kilogrammes of heroin at the Phuket International Airport in the Southeast Asian country. 

The Peoples Gazette learnt that the incident occurred on June 11, when the suspect was reportedly scheduled to fly to Entebbe International Airport in Uganda but was detained for secondary screening after the weight of her suitcase raised suspicion.

Reports noted that upon further inspection of Ms Jali’s luggage, law enforcement officers allegedly discovered the narcotics hidden inside seven bags of dog and cat food to conceal the substance.

The Phuket News reported that authorities said the 16kg of heroin has an estimated street value of N2 billion (48 million Thai Baht) in Thailand, with the figure potentially rising to N4.2 billion (96 million Thai Baht) in Uganda.

Investigators also seized mobile phones containing foreign SIM cards from the suspect, which were reportedly being examined to determine if Ms Jali’s case was connected to a larger drug trafficking operation.

The South African national was arrested immediately at the scene and transferred to officers at Sakhu Police Station for further legal action. 

She has since been charged with attempting to export a Category 1 narcotic (heroin) from Thailand without permission and possessing a Category 1 narcotic without permission.

The Thai authorities boasted that the arrest was part of Thailand’s intensified efforts to crack down on transnational drug trafficking operations through the country’s borders. 

The case has sparked reactions on social media, with some users sarcastically suggesting that South Africans would rather blame foreigners, including Nigerians, for the incident than take responsibility.

“I knew these stinky messed up humans from South Africa would blame Nigerians for this and they did… they never take responsibility for any crime. All they know how to do is point fingers at Nigerians for their misfortunes .. useless people,” Instagram user @tino.cardo commented. 

Another user @nita_amt stated, “They need to investigate the passport because most people come to South Africa to get a South African passport and ID and use it to enter other countries. SA has a serious challenge at the department that issues the documents.”

Also, @quintessentialstyle747 believed that a Nigerian must have been involved, stating, “A Nigerian is involved and she might not be even South African. If she is, they must finish her. Please we do not do such.”

“It’s their best job. That’s the end of her journey in life.

They blame immigrants, while they are the main source of the illicit drugs,” @sinzumee said. 

Besides, @sthera_80 questioned if the suspect is truly from South Africa, saying “Is she really South African? I know of many West Africans who claim to be South African in this continent. I can even provide links to videos of people being caught with South African passports.

“South Africa has a serious corruption problem, including identity theft, and foreigners have been able to obtain South African passports fraudulently. Not defending her at all. If she is genuinely South African, she must face the music. As a South African myself, I have no sympathy for lawbreakers, regardless of their nationality.”