Thai ONCB busts drug trafficking network in Songkhla waters
A significant drug trafficking network operating via maritime routes has been dismantled by police in Songkhla, following an extensive investigation and operation Swooping the Pirates: Suppressing the Seas EP.3. Eighteen people connected to the network were arrested, and assets valued at over 170 million baht were seized.
The operation was initiated after a major bust on December 4, when police apprehended Ekawit with a substantial amount of illegal narcotics, including 1 tonne of crystal methamphetamine (Ice) and 1.2 tonnes of ketamine.
The seizure occurred as the drugs were being transferred from a pickup truck onto a vessel at a dock in Bang Pakong district, Chachoengsao province. The subsequent investigation led to the unfolding of further actions under the Swooping the Pirates campaign, resulting in operations one and two.
In January, the drug network reportedly acquired a tugboat from Indonesia, suspected to be intended for the smuggling of drugs out of the country. Intelligence indicated that this vessel was to undergo repairs at a dock in Songkhla province, prompting the latest operation.
During the search of the tugboat, officers discovered the chief engineer, his assistant, and five crew members onboard. Two 9mm firearms and several rounds of ammunition were also recovered, along with various documents serving as critical evidence.
All individuals found on the vessel were taken in for comprehensive questioning at the Songkhla Narcotics Information Centre, aiming to establish connections to other drug trafficking networks still in operation.
“The operation has successfully apprehended 18 members of this drug trafficking network.”
The network is believed to have utilised the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand as conduits, with the ultimate destinations being international waters near Taiwan and the Philippines, reported KhaoSod.
The Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) is determined to continue the investigation, pressing forward with efforts to dismantle the network and seize assets associated with its illicit activities.
“Through diligent investigation and collaboration, we are committed to dismantling these networks and ensuring that justice prevails.”
This operation is part of a broader strategy to reinforce maritime security and prevent the exploitation of Thailand’s waters for illegal activities. The commitment to intensifying surveillance and intervention measures underscores the ongoing efforts to safeguard the country’s ports and maritime boundaries.
