Eleven French nationals detained in Thailand for drug trafficking, says police source

At least eleven French nationals have been detained in Thailand and Hong Kong since the start of summer, accused of trafficking several kilograms of cannabis. A police source revealed that the individuals, some as young as 18, may have been deceived by traffickers offering free holidays in exchange for acting as drug mules. Relatives of some of the detained young people told AFP and the French daily Liberation that the accused were unaware of the contents of the suitcases they were carrying. One woman described how her 20-year-old brother-in-law was arrested in mid-July with 16.8 kilograms of cannabis found in a locked suitcase. He had been contacted via Snapchat by someone who assured him the courier job was "100 percent legal" and involved transporting phones, with all expenses covered.

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The situation of our fellow citizens is being closely monitored by the relevant departments of the foreign ministry in Paris, which are in contact with their families.

Thailand, a major hub for illegal drug trafficking in Southeast Asia, has seen a surge in cannabis trafficking to France, particularly since the country decriminalized the drug in 2022. French authorities are closely monitoring the situation, with consular services in Thailand and Hong Kong mobilized to assist the detained citizens and their families. The French prosecutor's office, tasked with combating drug crime, has launched investigations to identify the organizers and networks involved in these operations. They aim to understand the recruitment methods used to ensnare young people into these activities.

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Consular services in Thailand and Hong Kong have been mobilised.

According to Liberation, the holiday offer allegedly originated from the manager of a smartphone trading company. Relatives insist the young French nationals were unaware of the suitcases' actual contents and were shocked by their discovery. One woman stated her brother-in-law was a victim of a "Thailand plan," believing he was transporting phones legally. The European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA) noted in a 2025 report an increase in cannabis seizures originating from Thailand, highlighting the growing concern over trafficking routes.

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They were shocked. They really weren’t expecting it.