THAILAND (TR) – Customs officials in Chiang Mai have detained a Thai national arriving from Japan after uncovering a massive haul of undeclared matcha powder, authorities said.
On October 19, officers at Chiang Mai Airport intercepted the passenger and conducted a search of their four suitcases. Inside, they discovered roughly 100 kilograms of Japanese matcha powder packed tightly into various bags and cans.
The confiscated green tea is valued at approximately 2.3 million yen.
Given the sheer volume of the haul—which far exceeds any reasonable amount for personal consumption—authorities suspect the passenger was smuggling the goods with the intent of illicit commercial resale.
The entire shipment was seized by customs agents after the passenger failed to declare the items or pay the required import duties.