ONCB thwarts drug transport ring, 500kg of meth seized
The Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB), in collaboration with partner agencies, intercepted a shipment of 500 kilogrammes of methamphetamine intended for transportation to a neighbouring country. Assets worth 9 million baht were seized and the driver admitted to having transported drugs four times, earning 100,000 baht per trip.
Today, February 17, the ONCB’s Drug Suppression Bureau announced the arrest of a smuggling operation. Three suspects were detained along with 500kgs of methamphetamine smuggled from the Golden Triangle border region using Thailand as a transit point. The incident occurred in the Takli district of Nakhon Sawan, continuing into Chiang Mai province.
Further investigations led to raids at five locations, including warehouses and residences in Chiang Rai province and Bangkok. A quantity of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia were discovered at one of the suspect’s residences. Officials seized assets such as land, vehicles, gold ornaments, and cash, totalling approximately 9 million baht.
Police Lieutenant General Phanurat stated that the arrests resulted from ongoing investigations by the ONCB and law enforcement agencies, including police and military, into international drug trafficking operations. On February 15, a report from Purin Mekanan flagged a suspicious truck linked to drug trafficking heading into the central region.
Surveillance was ordered, and at around 10pm, the truck entered Takli district, where officers conducted a search, uncovering 500kgs of methamphetamine in 20 sacks of 25kgs each and arresting the truck driver, the first suspect.
The driver revealed plans to deliver the drugs to the Bang Yai district in Nonthaburi, prompting the agency to expand their investigation. On February 16, around 5am, they apprehended a second suspect, who arrived with a pickup truck for drug transfer.
Not a first rodeo
The driver disclosed that since early January, he had been hired to transport drugs four times, including the arrest incident, for 100,000 baht per trip, delivering to Suphan Buri and Nonthaburi provinces. He confessed to obtaining the drugs from a warehouse in Chiang Rai. By 1pm on February 16, a third suspect, who delivered the drugs to the truck driver, was arrested in Chaing Mai.
Pol. Lt Gen. Phanurat further explained that the investigation stemmed from continuous monitoring of international drug networks by the ONCB and partner agencies since July of the previous year.
Over seven months, three cases were resolved, with nearly one tonne of methamphetamine and heroin seized, along with assets worth over 18 million baht. The drugs were destined for Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Australia, reported KhaoSod.
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