Massive 14 million methamphetamine pill haul intercepted in Laos

A mammoth haul of over 14 million methamphetamine pills, destined for Thailand, was intercepted in Vientiane with five suspects taken into custody.

The monumental seizure was achieved during an operation carried out from November 28 to 30, conducted by the drug suppression police in Laos. Among those apprehended in the methamphetamine crackdown operation were four individuals from Laos and a Thai national.

Assistant National Police Chief and acting Secretary-General of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB), Phanurat Lakbun, confirmed the news today, December 2. This methamphetamine operation was a direct outcome of the joint efforts in drug suppression between Thailand and Laos, a collaboration that took place from September 25 to 27 in the Krabi province of Thailand.

In an endeavour to strengthen this bilateral cooperation, Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong and Deputy Minister of Public Security from Laos, Kamking Khamking Phuilamanyvong, had detailed discussions on intelligence gathering and drug suppression in the southern province of Thailand, as shared by the acting chief of the ONCB, reported Bangkok Post.

The seized methamphetamine pills were planned to be smuggled into Thailand, specifically through the Nong Khai province. The investigation is now being expanded to identify and apprehend the key players in this drug trafficking operation, as stated by Phanurat Lakbun.

Phanurat Lakbun announced the arrest of the five drug suspects and the seizure of a colossal amount of speed pills by the drug suppression police in Laos. The photo of the announcement was provided by the Office of the Narcotics Control Board.

In related news, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin called for a comprehensive discussion surrounding the Public Health Ministry’s proposal to redefine anyone in possession of under 10 methamphetamine pills as an addict rather than a criminal.

The meeting over the methamphetamine possession debate took place on November 1 and involved high-ranking officials from the Royal Thai Police, the Office of the Narcotics Control Board, and the 61 year old Thai prime minister’s advisories. Read more about this story HERE.