Nakhon Pathom police seize 79 kg of meth in drug bust
Police in Nakhon Pathom arrested two suspects and seized over 70 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine hidden in a secret room beneath a staircase. The drugs were intended for distribution, with one suspect denying all charges.
Yesterday, January 12, at 11pm, senior police officers, including Police Major General Chomchawin Purathananon and Police Colonel Phongsakorn Uppapong, along with other local officials, conducted a drug raid at a residence in Bang Khaem, Mueang district, Nakhon Pathom province. The operation led to the arrest of two individuals: 31 year old Chaiwat and 25 year old Sitthichai.
Inside the hidden storage space, the police discovered crystal methamphetamine concealed in green tea bags and packed in black bags and suitcases. The drugs were divided into 11 packages weighing 11.6 kilogrammes, 10 packages in black bags weighing 10.19 kilogrammes, 16 packages in white fertiliser sacks weighing 17.03 kilogrammes, and 38 packages in grey plastic boxes weighing 40.04 kilogrammes.
In total, police seized 78.98 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine, two mobile phones, a .32 calibre revolver, and six rounds of ammunition.
The police operation stemmed from a tip-off that Chaiwat was involved in transporting drugs from a northern Thai network. Surveillance began at the residence around 4.40pm, where Chaiwat was spotted outside.
Upon questioning, Chaiwat confessed to smuggling drugs from the North for storage, pending delivery instructions from the drug owner. He led police to the hidden drugs at the Bang Khaem residence.
Drug bust
During the operation, Sitthichai arrived on a motorcycle and identified himself as the homeowner. Police presented their identification and discovered the drugs hidden beneath the staircase, seizing additional items belonging to Chaiwat.
Chaiwat admitted to overseeing the crystal methamphetamine and owning the weapon. He stated that he was contacted by a person known as Golf through Facebook to collect 30 kilogrammes of drugs on Rama 2 Road in July last year.
Chaiwat stored the drugs at his home in Mueang district before delivering them as instructed, for which he was promised 40,000 baht (US$1,150) but only received 5,000 baht (US$143) on July 31 last year. The drugs were left on the roadside at Lam Yai, Don Tum district, Nakhon Pathom.
In a second incident, Chaiwat collected 100 kilogrammes of drugs from the Kamphaeng Saen-Phanom Thuan road, Kanchanaburi province, in July last year, delivering 20 kilogrammes to Golf’s customers. The remaining drugs were allegedly handed over to Tum, who suggested renting the Bang Khaem house for storage. Chaiwat was eventually apprehended.
While Chaiwat confessed, Sitthichai denied the charges, claiming he had only rented the house for two months since November 2024 and was unaware of the items stored under the stairs. Both suspects were taken to the provincial investigation division for drug testing, which returned negative results, reported KhaoSod.
Chaiwat faces charges of possessing crystal methamphetamine for distribution without permission, an act deemed commercial and spreading among the public, as well as illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition. Sitthichai faces similar drug possession charges. Police intend to expand the investigation to target larger drug suppliers.
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