Meth haul over 50 million baht seized in Nonthaburi drug bust
A drug trafficking network was dismantled in Nonthaburi yesterday, February 13 at 3pm. The police seized a substantial haul, including 560,000 methamphetamine pills, 218 kilogrammes of crystal meth, and 3,163 ecstasy pills, valued at over 50 million baht.
The arrest took place at a dormitory in the Bang Kraso subdistrict of Mueang Nonthaburi district on February 12 at 8pm. The operation involved Police Lieutenant General Surapol Prembut, Police Major General Kittithanate Thanananthaveesin, and other officers from the Rattanathibet Police Station, along with military intelligence units.
Pongthep, a 30 year old, was charged with possession of category 1 narcotics with intent to distribute. His arrest followed investigations into the network of Apivit Sa-arddee who had been implicated in multiple cases.
Officers discovered that large quantities of drugs were hidden in vehicles parked among civilian cars at the dormitory, awaiting distribution to buyers.
Upon inspection, the police found an unusually heavy vehicle and, after monitoring the suspect, confronted him as he left the dormitory.
A search revealed car keys to a vehicle containing the narcotics. Further investigation uncovered additional items including 88 grammes of ketamine, four firearms, four cars, and two mobile phones.
During questioning, Pongthep admitted to parking the drug-laden vehicle in Bang Krang alley between 3am and 9am, before taking a taxi back to his room.
He awaited instructions from the drug owner via the LINE app, who would notify him between 5am and 3pm to retrieve the car. The drugs, concealed in sacks, were then left in the dorm’s parking lot until further delivery instructions were received.
The suspect’s role also included transporting drugs from Sena and Wang Noi districts in Ayutthaya province, earning 50,000 baht for each delivery using a CRV and 30,000 baht using a Mazda. Payments were received in cash, and strategically placed at designated locations along Phra Ram 5 Road.
Pongthep is also subject to two existing arrest warrants: one from the Chachoengsao Provincial Court for joint robbery, and another from the Nonthaburi Provincial Court for possession of ketamine without a licence, as well as illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, reported KhaoSod.
Police Lieutenant General Surapol Prembut commented on the operation, noting that the dismantled network was a major drug trafficking operation using metropolitan areas as storage hubs before distribution.
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