Major drug bust in Thai-Myanmar border, 50 million amphetamine pills found
A major drug suspect was apprehended by Thai authorities as they stormed an old shop, uncovering a stash of approximately 50 million amphetamine pills. The premises, discovered today, were found to have secret entrances leading to the Thai-Myanmar border, facilitating illicit cross-border activities.
The suspects, 30 year old Pitiphan Nomsoongnern, also known as Num, and 24 year old Pornsiri Kongnandi, also known as Porn, are residents of Prang Phel Subdistrict, Sangkhla Buri District, Kanchanaburi Province.
Both were detained earlier with substantial evidence: 50 million amphetamine pills and a six-wheeler truck at a joint checkpoint of Thong Pha Phum, Tha Khanun Subdistrict, Thong Pha Phum District, Kanchanaburi. The accused confessed that the drugs originated from the old shop, prompting authorities to extend their investigations, reported KhaoSod.
Upon arrival, investigators found the old shop, located in Nong Lu Subdistrict, Sangkhla Buri District, Kanchanaburi, bordering the Thai-Myanmar frontier. The establishment had hidden exits on both the Thai and Myanmar sides, providing an easy route for smuggling drugs.
The shop was filled with plastic bottles and various old items, including frames of cars and motorcycle license plates contained in white big bags. These big bags were similar to those used to pack the seized amphetamines the day before.
The old shop was inhabited by two people, a man and a woman, both friends of the accused Num. The investigators are further interrogating them to establish their involvement with Num. Preliminary tests revealed the male inhabitant had purple urine, a sign of drug use, and he was handed over to Sangkhla Buri Police Station for legal proceedings.
Authorities will hold a press conference at Thong Pha Phum Police Station at 1.30pm today to further report on the case.
In related news, authorities apprehended 13 suspects and confiscated 2 tonnes of crystal methamphetamine from a large tugboat in Chachoengsao’s Bang Pakong district. The narcotics, believed to be headed for the Philippines and Australia, were discovered during a late-night search operation by marine and narcotics suppression police. To read more click HERE
