Five arrested in Bangkok drug bust, 1.65 tonnes of Ice seized
Police Lieutenant General Phanurat Lakboon, Secretary-General of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB), announced the arrest of five individuals involved in cross-border drug trafficking. They were apprehended during a significant operation that led to the seizure of 1.65 tonnes of crystal methamphetamine, commonly known as Ice, which was hidden in 33 cotton rolls within a warehouse located in Bangkok’s Rat Burana district.
This operation, carried out on January 17 in conjunction with several agencies, uncovered that the drugs had originated in Africa, transited through India, and were smuggled into Thailand to be transported to countries such as Australia, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. The operation identified a key female suspect from Thailand, who reportedly rented the warehouse and managed the logistics. Additionally, four Thai teenage males were implicated, serving as warehouse operators and company nominees.
Investigators discovered explicit text messages detailing how the drugs were concealed in 33 of the 140 cotton rolls. Scientific analysis confirmed the presence of narcotics, evidenced by the samples turning orange during testing. Assets valued between 2 to 3 million baht, tied to the suspects, were also confiscated during the operation, reported The Pattaya News.
Police Lieutenant General Phanurat noted that while this form of crystal methamphetamine is not commonly abused in Thailand, unlike the more affordable pill variants, the nation continues to be a crucial transit point. He stressed the importance of remaining vigilant against innovative drug smuggling methods.
In related news, a former footballer from Liverpool confessed he deeply regrets smuggling drugs from Thailand after quitting the professional game to allegedly look after his cancer-stricken grandparents. The former Tranmere Rovers footballer was arrested by immigration police while transferring through customs at Manchester Airport.
In other news, military and police forces intercepted a drug smuggling operation in Chiang Rai, seizing approximately 456 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine.
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