ID :
36502
Fri, 12/19/2008 - 16:33
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/36502
The shortlink copeid
Aussie faces life in Thai jail for drugs
Australian Andrew Hood says he's devastated by the prospect of life in a Thai jail after being arrested at Bangkok's international airport allegedly carrying three kilograms of heroin.
And the unemployed 36-year-old former storeman from Annandale in Sydney says he only did it for the money.
"Money, (I did it) only for the money, mate," he told AAP on Friday while facing a Thai court where he was transferred to prison.
Hood was arrested by Thai Customs officers on Tuesday while preparing to board a flight to Sydney from Bangkok International Airport.
Reports said he allegedly had 12 bags of heroin strapped to his body with an estimated street value of about 12 million baht ($A494,000).
Hood faces the prospect of at least 50 years in jail term if found guilty of trafficking.
Thailand carries the death penalty for trafficking but most prisoners are initially sentenced to life with a possible reduced term if the prisoner admits guilt.
Hood was brought to the criminal court on Friday in a black prison van and refused to say anything about an alleged accomplice who managed to evade capture at the airport.
As he was ushered into the holding cells Hood said he was "devastated, devastated" by the possibility of the 50-year prison term.
Handcuffed and wearing a white sports shirt and jeans, Hood was also carrying photos of his daughter in Australia.
"My daughter's name is Harmony, tell her that I love her," he said, adding that the message to his family was: "I love them."
Earlier, in a TV interview, Hood said he had been caught red-handed.
"I was caught with heroin, trying to bring it to Australia," Hood told the Nine Network.
"I made a big mistake and I'm going to pay for it man, do you know what I mean, I'm going to pay for it."
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said diplomats had met with Hood.
"Consular staff at the Australian embassy in Bangkok have spoken to the man and are
providing him consular assistance," a DFAT spokesman told AAP.
No date has yet been set when Hood's trial will commence.
Under Thai law the prosecutor will be required to bring the prisoner before a formal
court hearing within three months.
And the unemployed 36-year-old former storeman from Annandale in Sydney says he only did it for the money.
"Money, (I did it) only for the money, mate," he told AAP on Friday while facing a Thai court where he was transferred to prison.
Hood was arrested by Thai Customs officers on Tuesday while preparing to board a flight to Sydney from Bangkok International Airport.
Reports said he allegedly had 12 bags of heroin strapped to his body with an estimated street value of about 12 million baht ($A494,000).
Hood faces the prospect of at least 50 years in jail term if found guilty of trafficking.
Thailand carries the death penalty for trafficking but most prisoners are initially sentenced to life with a possible reduced term if the prisoner admits guilt.
Hood was brought to the criminal court on Friday in a black prison van and refused to say anything about an alleged accomplice who managed to evade capture at the airport.
As he was ushered into the holding cells Hood said he was "devastated, devastated" by the possibility of the 50-year prison term.
Handcuffed and wearing a white sports shirt and jeans, Hood was also carrying photos of his daughter in Australia.
"My daughter's name is Harmony, tell her that I love her," he said, adding that the message to his family was: "I love them."
Earlier, in a TV interview, Hood said he had been caught red-handed.
"I was caught with heroin, trying to bring it to Australia," Hood told the Nine Network.
"I made a big mistake and I'm going to pay for it man, do you know what I mean, I'm going to pay for it."
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said diplomats had met with Hood.
"Consular staff at the Australian embassy in Bangkok have spoken to the man and are
providing him consular assistance," a DFAT spokesman told AAP.
No date has yet been set when Hood's trial will commence.
Under Thai law the prosecutor will be required to bring the prisoner before a formal
court hearing within three months.
