Sakhu Police confirmed the arrest took place at about 3:10pm on Wednesday (Feb 5) at the baggage inspection area on the second floor of the domestic terminal at Phuket International Airport in Mai Khao.
Police said security staff alerted officers after several small bags of cocaine were seen on the floor beside the suspect. CCTV footage later confirmed that the man had dropped the drugs from his trouser pocket while he was passing through the security checkpoint.
The suspect, identified as Najib Aftat, 46, a French national, was found to be in possession of 10 resealable plastic bags of cocaine, a Category 2 narcotic, with a combined weight of 7.55 grams.
Pol Lt Col Chamnan Inthanon of Sakhu Police Investigation Division led the arrest. During questioning, the suspect admitted the cocaine belonged to him and confessed to officers that he had more drugs stored in his rented room at an apartment complex on Kwang Rd in Wichit.
Police then escorted the suspect to his room, where officers seized a further 13 small bags of pink powder believed to be a Category 1 narcotic (ecstasy), weighing a total of 6.79 grams, along with nine bags of pink methamphetamine tablets containing a total of 44 tablets.
Sakhu Police Chief Pol Col Salan Santisasanakul confirmed the suspect has been charged with possession of cocaine with intent to sell, possession of a Category 1 narcotic with intent to sell, and illegal consumption of a Category 1 narcotic.
The suspect was taken into custody for further legal proceedings, with Pol Lt Col Wisanu Chalok assigned as the investigating officer in charge.
Police said the investigation is ongoing.