Major drug bust in Thailand: 100,000 meth pills seized
Police Colonel Kittisak Plathong, commander of the Border Patrol Police Region 2, led a joint operation with several agencies to arrest a major drug trafficking network yesterday, February 26.
The operation, involving the Office of the Narcotics Control Board Region 4, tourist police, military drug task forces, and Nong Son police, resulted in the capture of an agent and the seizure of nearly 100,000 methamphetamine pills.
The arrests took place at two locations, first on Highway 12, along the Khon Kaen-Yang Talat route in Mueang district, Maha Sarakham province, and at a house on Kud Yang Samakki Road in Mueang district, Kalasin province.
Three suspects were apprehended: 24 year old Atsada “Tat” Nantoy, 21 year old Thanakorn “Toom” Kanburom, and 18 year old Worawit “Moo” Kanburom. Police confiscated 84,037 methamphetamine pills, a grey Mitsubishi sedan, and two mobile phones.
Pol. Col. Kittisak revealed that the special operations team had been investigating a drug smuggling ring operating from the northeastern border area. Intelligence indicated that the traffickers were bringing drugs into central northeastern Thailand.
A tip-off confirmed an imminent delivery to customers in Maha Sarakham and Kalasin provinces. Officers set up surveillance along the reported routes the previous night, leading to the identification of the suspect vehicle.
Drug trafficking
The car was observed along Highway 12, matching the description provided by the informant. It was monitored as it travelled through Chiang Yuen district, heading towards Maha Sarakham province.
When the car stopped near the Phon Thong subdistrict’s municipal office, officers attempted to search. The vehicle tried to flee, but the escape plan was unsuccessful. The suspects were detained inside the vehicle.
An initial vehicle search found no illegal items, but a personal search revealed 30 methamphetamine pills in a throat lozenge bottle, four pills in a clear plastic bag, and three pills in a press-seal plastic bag. The suspects confessed to additional drugs hidden in a tyre at their residence, where 84,000 more pills were discovered.
The suspects admitted to receiving 900,000 methamphetamine pills from Suteph or Tai, distributing them to various locations for customers, and being paid 1,000 pills per delivery. Before their arrest, they intended to deliver 4,000 pills to a customer near a sports school in Khon Kaen, reported KhaoSod.
After interrogation, the suspects were charged with possession of a category 1 narcotic with intent to distribute. Further investigations will focus on dismantling the network, particularly targeting the supplier. The suspects and evidence were handed over to Nong Son police in Maha Sarakham province for legal proceedings.
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