Alleged Russian arms trafficker Victor Bout left Thailand at around 1.30 p.m. soon after Thai cabinet had approved his extradition at 10 a.m. Tuesday.

Being escorted by twenty commando police of Crime Suppression Division together with some U.S. officials, Bout left Bang Kwang Prison in central Nonthaburi province at around 12.40 p.m. and headed to Don Muang Airport.

Bout left Thailand on a 20-seat U.S. jet at 1.30 p.m. which U.S. officials were also on board, police said. The departure was one and a half hour quicker than the original plan which was set at 3 p.m.

About 50 police were deployed at the airport to ensure security.