Thai grandmother arrested for selling meth to buy milk

Police in Nakhon Phanom apprehended a local woman today for distributing meth, caught while soothing her grandson to sleep, she claimed a desperate need for money to buy milk for her grandson.

The border district of Nakhon Phanom continues to struggle with drug trafficking issues. The problem extends beyond smuggling and has infiltrated local communities, partly due to unemployment leading some residents to sell drugs.

Methamphetamine is easily accessible in this border area, with prices ranging from 10 to 20 baht per pill, creating village-based dealers. The Surasak Montri Task Force has been intensifying measures to curb these activities, involving border patrolling and community collaboration for tip-offs, which have resulted in continuous arrests of local drug networks.

Recently, the task force, along with security agencies, conducted a raid that led to the arrest of 48 year old Boonpeng at her residence in Khoksawat, Nakhon Phanom. During the search, officers discovered methamphetamine hidden in her trousers and around her house, totalling 157 pills, along with 20,000 baht in cash, suspected to be drug trade proceeds.

Boonpeng confessed to buying methamphetamine at 20 baht per pill from a supplier and selling it for 40 baht, making a profit of 20 baht per pill. She cited poverty, unemployment, and the need to support her family as reasons for her involvement in the drug trade.

The scene at Boonpeng’s home today, July 18, was particularly distressing. Her single-storey house was in a dilapidated condition, resembling a shanty. She was also caring for her six-year-old grandson, as her daughter was working in Bangkok.

Boonpeng claimed she resorted to selling meth to afford milk and other household necessities for her grandson. During her arrest, she called her daughter to inform her of the situation and asked her to return home to take care of her son, leading the daughter to break down in tears.

Officers expressed their difficulty in arresting Boonpeng, especially as she was in the act of rocking her grandson to sleep, who was unaware of the events unfolding. However, they emphasised the need for decisive action, as leaving her activities unchecked would pose a societal threat.

The arrest followed a tip-off from residents who had endured her drug dealing for over a year. The community had become increasingly frustrated and ultimately provided information leading to her capture, reported KhaoSod.