Thai police seize 19 million meth pills in major drug bust

Thai police seized over 19 million methamphetamine pills and launched an operation against the K2 Network, confiscating assets worth more than 18 million baht. This significant drug bust resulted from coordinated efforts between various law enforcement agencies.

At 10am today, the Narcotics Suppression Bureau, led by Nirandorn Leamsri, Assistant Commissioner-General, and Keereesak Tantinwachai, Commissioner of the Narcotics Suppression Bureau, along with other relevant agencies, held a press conference to announce the results of their anti-drug operations conducted from May 14 to May 22.

During this period, police successfully intercepted and seized over 19 million methamphetamine pills. They also executed a planned operation targeting 100 drug networks, including the notorious K2 Network, and seized assets worth more than 10 million baht (US$271,000).

Adis Jaroensawat, Commander of Narcotics Suppression Bureau 3, revealed that their team expanded investigations based on intelligence gathered from six drug trafficking cases along the border, resulting in the seizure of 16,650,000 methamphetamine pills and 1.155 kilogrammes of cocaine. Fourteen suspects were arrested, and assets worth 18,115,000 baht (US$491,000) were confiscated.

One notable case involved the K2 Network, stemming from the arrests of Narenth and Thosapol on July 18, 2022. The investigation revealed that Chakri, also known as Ice or Sor Or Lumlukka, had hired them to transport drugs.

Further investigations linked this network to Art Tam-Iew and Thaphanan, also known as Nu Chern, who are currently evading capture in Thachilek, Myanmar. The investigation indicated ongoing activities in central Thailand, with supporters aiding and abetting the network by holding assets and laundering money for Chakri. This led to the operation to raid and seize assets from the K2 Network.

Drug bust

Police confiscated 31 items believed to be acquired through drug trafficking in Nakhon Nayok, Pathum Thani, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, and Bangkok. The seized items included firearms, luxury bags, expensive watches, rings, amulets, iPhones, bank account books, and vehicles, totalling 10,280,000 baht (US$280,000) in value.

Vitath Barirak, Commander of the Narcotics Control Suppression Unit, stated that their unit, in collaboration with the Highway Police Division and Provincial Police Region 5, seized an additional 2,000,000 methamphetamine pills and arrested one suspect, Sithichai, a driver of a black Hyundai van.

The arrest occurred on Phahonyothin Road in Phayao Province, where the suspect was transporting drugs into inner areas. During another operation, police seized a grey Isuzu pickup truck that had crashed into a roadside utility pole on Road 1252 in Doi Saket District, Chiang Mai Province, discovering more drugs hidden inside.

Keereesak noted that this press conference marked the culmination of a two-week operation targeting four major drug networks in northern Thailand. The efforts also included intercepting cocaine smuggling into the country and seizing assets linked to the K2 Network.

Keereesak mentioned that more networks are under investigation, aligning with the strategy set by Deputy Commissioner-General Kittirat Panphet, who is acting as Commissioner-General. This year, police have managed to arrest drug trafficking networks at a rate of 70%.