Moment Brit is 'caught with 9kg of crystal meth' in Thailand as he faces death penalty

A British tourist is facing the death penalty in Thailand over allegedly attempting to smuggle a suitcase full of drugs out of Thailand.

George Wilson, from High Wycombe, was arrested at a hotel in Bangkok on Monday after police found 9.15kg of methamphetamine in his possession after receiving a tip off regarding the movement of drugs by a local gang.

In video footage captured after the 23-year-old's arrest, officers can be seen questioning Wilson on the contents of his bag, to which he replies: "I don't know what it is."

Officers then open the case to reveal several green foil bags of Chinese tea packed inside the case, which are later found to be containing methamphetamine.

Confirming the Buckinghamshire native's arrest, Colonel Siranawitcha Intorn, Superintendent of the Crime Suppression Division, Metropolitan Police Bureau Division 5, said: "George Wilson has been charged with distributing Category 1 narcotics, specifically methamphetamine or ice, with intent to sell in violation of the law, which constitutes a commercial act that contributes to the spread of the drug among the public."

23-year-old George Wilson was arrested after allegedly attempting to smuggle drugs out the country (ViralPress)

Under Thai law, Category 1 narcotics refers to substances such as heroin, methamphetamine, and other synthetic drugs.

Importing or exporting the substances carries a maximum punishment of the death penalty of life in prison. However, this sentence is rarely handed down, with judges often preferring to impose a custodial sentence.

Mitigating factors may help the sentence to be reduced to no less than 10 to 20 years.

The officers added they believe Wilson was recruited to carry the sealed packages of drugs through Thailand's Suvarnabhumi International Airport before handing them over at the destination country.

"We believe he was part of a cross-border drug smuggling network, which is very serious. The amount of drugs seized was also very large," Colonel Intorn continued.

"The highest levels of the Royal Thai Police have coordinated to make the arrest."

Wilson is said to have also told police that he received the meth in a pink suitcase from a British drugs runner named 'Snoopy' and had allegedly paid 20,000 THB (460 GBP) for his role in the chain.

Police say 9.15kg of methamphetamine were recovered in the case (ViralPress)

"I spoke English with the suspect," Lieutenant Colonel Pongtanin Bamrungsuksawat, the Deputy Chief of the Detective Division, Metropolitan Police Division 5, added.

"He confirmed that the items were his. The charges were explained to him along with his rights and he was handcuffed and taken into custody for legal processing."

Thailand has become a hotspot for drugs trafficking in recent years, with authorities labelling the north of the country as part of the regions' ‘Golden Triangle' for the creation and movement of illegal substances.

It's believed drugs such as methamphetamine are manufactured in neighbouring Myanmar before being transited through Thailand to lucrative international markets.