Laotian pair nabbed for Mekong meth smuggling
Two Laotian men were apprehended while attempting to smuggle methamphetamine concealed in oxygen tanks across the Mekong River. The police detected the drug due to its strong odour emanating from the tanks, which contained over 300,000 tablets.
Yesterday, April 9, security agencies in Pak Chom district, Loei province, comprising the 2109th Ranger Company, Pak Chom Police Station, Immigration Bureau, and the 246th Border Patrol Police Company in Chiang Khan, conducted a coordinated operation.
This was instructed by key officials, including Police Lieutenant General Chatchai Surachetphong, Major General Wiradet Lekhawarakul, Police Colonel Yutthawat Chokchai, Pol. Col. Natthakrit Khamsawecha, and Colonel Intrawut Thongkham.
Under the supervision of these officials, a security checkpoint known as the P4 spider web was established in every province under the jurisdiction of Region 4 Provincial Police.
At 2.40am along the Mekong River near Ban Kok Phai, village number 6, Pak Chom subdistrict, security personnel patrolling the area spotted two Laotian nationals.
The men were later identified as 21 year old Anon Rattanawong and 18 year old Thewit Bunhawong, both from Ban Wang, Muang Mun, Vientiane, Laos. They had navigated a boat from Laos and landed on Thai soil.
Observing this, the officers called for an inspection and discovered that the Laotians were transporting three oxygen tanks aboard their boat.
Upon returning to Pak Chom Police Station for further inspection, an initial search revealed a strong smell of meth emanating from inside the tanks.
Cutting open the tanks, officers uncovered that each contained 10 packages, amounting to 30 packages in total, with approximately 300,000 meth tablets inside.
During questioning, the Laotian men confessed to being hired to transport the drugs, concealed in oxygen tanks, to Thailand.
They were promised 1,000 baht per tank, transporting three tanks at a time, but were apprehended before completing their task. They claimed ignorance about the identity of the recipient, stating their role was solely transportation, reported KhaoSod.
Officers arrested the two men and seized the meth concealed within the three oxygen tanks. The suspects were handed over to investigators for legal proceedings.
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