139 kg of heroin seized in Bueng Kan, valued at 280 million baht

Success in the No Place for Drugs operation in Bueng Kan was announced by Police Lieutenant General Sarayut Sa-nguanphokai, the Commander-in-Chief, alongside relevant agencies. The initiative led to the seizure of 139 kilogrammes of heroin valued at 280 million baht.

Bueng Kan investigative police, in collaboration with other officers, initiated an investigation into a drug smuggling network based on information from an anonymous source. The tip-off indicated that illicit substances were being smuggled from a neighbouring country into the north-central and central regions of Thailand.

Bueng Kan officers were strategically positioned along the Bueng Kan and Nakhon Phanom borders to intercept the smugglers. Yesterday, officers identified a suspicious vehicle matching the description provided by the source. The suspect, driving a white pickup truck, attempted to flee but was intercepted on Road 2026 in Bueng Khong Long, Bueng Kan.

During the search, police discovered three rucksacks containing 380 bars of heroin, totalling 139 kilogrammes. This amount of heroin, if distributed to third countries, would have a street value of 280 million baht (US$ 7.6 million). The successful interception prevented a significant quantity of drugs from reaching the market.

The suspect, identified only as Nattaphon, had recently been released from prison for drug-related offences earlier this year. Nattaphon confessed to police that he had been hired by an unidentified drug dealer to transport the heroin to Phetchabun for a payment of 100,000 baht (US$2,700), reported The Pattaya News.

The police are continuing their investigation to dismantle the drug smuggling network and hold all involved individuals accountable.

In related news, Thai police made a significant drug bust, intercepting 14.8 kilogrammes of heroin destined for Taiwan. The narcotics were ingeniously concealed within two commercial ice-making machines, set to be transported via an air freight company in Bangkok.

The operation unfolded in the wake of a previous case involving a shipment of drugs concealed within robot bases.