Police have detained a Thai man and his Lao wife for questioning in connection with a parcel they allegedly sent to a Thai Airways flight attendant arrested at Melbourne Airport on charges of attempting to smuggle in about one kilogram of heroin in her luggage.
The investigation stemmed from the arrest of Ms Meena, whose surname has been withheld, by Australian police. Thai authorities have sought to identify individuals linked to the parcel sent to her.
Investigators first searched a house in Chiang Khan district, Loei, after learning of Arthit, 43, and his wife Thatsaphon, 42, a Lao national.
The couple, however, were not at the house. Police later learned they had travelled to Erawan district for rubber tapping work.
Authorities traced Mr Arthit to Wang Saphung district, where he was working on a construction project.
He was taken into custody.
During questioning, Mr Arthit admitted that he had been hired to send parcels on six occasions to destinations in Bangkok.
He reportedly told investigators that he received 8,000 baht per shipment from a Lao national, with the most recent dispatch taking place on June 28.
Authorities later located and detained Ms Thatsaphon while she was allegedly hiding at a rubber plantation in Erawan district.
Mrs Thatsaphon denied any involvement in the case and said she had no knowledge of the alleged activities under investigation.
Police are expected to continue questioning the couple, although no charges had been filed against either individual at the time of reporting.
