Cluck and awe: Thai chicken butcher’s meth side hustle foiled

A chicken butcher at a local market in Rayong, discreetly selling methamphetamine pills on the side in pursuit of quick wealth was arrested, following a delivery attempt which was thwarted by the police.

The Chief of Bang Lamung district, Police Colonel Nawin Sinsuttharat, and Deputy Police Colonel Supawat Latthapreecha, along with the Narcotics Suppression Division yesterday, July 16, apprehended a chicken butcher, 33 year old Peeradej, with nearly 68,000 methamphetamine pills.

Following a tip-off, the Bang Lamung Narcotics Suppression Police learned of an individual who was trafficking a large quantity of methamphetamine in the area. They tracked down a bronze-grey Honda sedan, suspected to be a vehicle used in the drug trafficking efforts.

Subsequent investigations led police to a papaya salad and grilled chicken stall in Pluak Daeng district, Rayong province, where Peeradej had arranged to sell 2,000 methamphetamine pills.

When police arrived at the stall, they found the drugs hung discreetly on a pole of the papaya salad shop, and a grey Ford pickup truck was observed to be parked suspiciously nearby. A search of the truck yielded an additional 26,000 methamphetamine pills hidden inside.

Peeradej, who was found seated inside the vehicle, admitted ownership of all the seized drugs.

Following this, a search of Peeradej’s residence nearby uncovered another 40,000 pills, bringing the total amount to 68,000 pills. During interrogation, Peeradej confessed to acquiring the drugs from northern Thailand, intending to sell them to young adults and labourers in the area, and in Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri.

He admitted to engaging in this trade for over six months while still working as a chicken butcher at the local market in Pluak Daeng, hoping to fast-track himself to prosperity.

Peeradej has been formally charged with possession of Category 1 narcotics (methamphetamine) with intent to distribute and was transferred to Pluak Daeng Police Station for further legal proceedings, reported KhaoSod.