Thai police seize 10 million meth pills in Loei province

Thai Defence Minister Sutin Klangsang announced the seizure of 10 million methamphetamine pills, ordering stringent border measures and public cooperation to curb drug trafficking. The operation took place in Loei Province, involving various military and local police.

Yesterday, at the 21st Ranger Unit, Sutin Klangsang held a press conference regarding the significant drug bust in Loei Province. The operation, conducted by the 2102 Ranger Unit and local officials in Tha Li District, resulted in the apprehension of a vehicle carrying the methamphetamine pills near Ban Khok Yai.

The vehicle, which appeared suspicious, fled and ultimately plunged into a 30-metre ravine.

Major General Narathip Poynok, Commander of the Surasak Montri Task Force, Chaiyphot Jarunphong, Governor of Loei Province, and Police Major General Pongpipat Siripornwiwat, Commander of Loei Provincial Police, joined the press conference.

Sutin stated that he has encouraged and instructed border security units to intensify their efforts in drug monitoring and prevention. He noted that drug traffickers have been increasingly using routes through Phetchabun Province to avoid the main routes from the north and other areas.

Consequently, Sutin has directed various agencies to coordinate with local communities to serve as informants in tracking down drug activities. This collaborative approach aims to effectively intercept and reduce drug trafficking along the borders, ultimately eliminating it from Thailand.

Lieutenant Colonel Intrawut added that the operation stemmed from intelligence indicating that methamphetamine would be smuggled from Laos into Tha Li District. A team of 10 rangers and local officials set up checkpoints along potential routes and patrolled suspicious areas.

They encountered a convoy of three pickup trucks. When police pursued and closed in on the vehicles, one truck fled towards Ban Khok Yai using Highway 2399. Approximately 3 to 4 kilometres before reaching Ban Khok Yai, the truck veered off a steep curve and fell into a ravine during the late night hours.

Given the uncertainty about the number of accomplices, the police called for reinforcements to secure the area. They discovered the wrecked pickup truck at the bottom of the ravine, containing approximately 10 million methamphetamine pills, but the driver was missing, reported KhaoSod.

It is believed that the driver fled the scene, leaving behind a mobile phone and other evidence in the vehicle. The police are currently expanding their investigation and expect to apprehend the suspects soon.