Thai police seize 10 million meth pills, arrest major dealer

A major drug bust led by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior Anutin Charnvirakul resulted in the seizure of 10 million methamphetamine pills and the arrest of a key suspect in Pathum Thani province.

In a significant clampdown on drug trafficking, Thai police apprehended a major drug dealer and seized a colossal haul of 10 million methamphetamine pills. The operation, which took place in a luxurious rented house in the Thanyaburi district of Pathum Thani province, confirmed the house’s use as a storage for the illegal substances.

The arrest of 37 year old Banchar Khotphutorn, also known as Muek Sai Mai, has dealt a blow to a well-established drug network linked to recent activities in the Bang Pahan area of Ayutthaya province.

The operation was a collaborative effort involving high-ranking officials, including Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior Anutin Charnvirakul, along with senior police officers from Region 1 Police. The raid occurred yesterday at noon when the suspect was caught red-handed while packaging the drugs for delivery to customers in Nakhon Nayok province. During the operation, a second suspect managed to elude capture.

Police Deputy Commissioner Lieutenant General Chayanan Meesati stated that the house had been under surveillance for approximately three months. The drugs were found both inside the house and in a vehicle.

The meticulous police work included tracking the suspects from a previous arrest in the Bang Pahan district. Banchar, who has previously faced robbery charges, confessed to his role in the drug trafficking operation, revealing that his duties involved coordinating with delivery drivers to avoid police checkpoints, for which he was paid 5,000 baht (US$140) per trip.

Anutin praised the police for their diligence and commitment to public service, highlighting the recent success of a similar drug bust in Ayutthaya province. He assured full support from the government and the Ministry of the Interior for the police force’s ongoing battle against drug trafficking. The two seizures combined account for over 20 million methamphetamine pills, worth several billion baht, reported KhaoSod.

The government’s determination to quell drug-related activities and protect the youth from substance abuse was reinforced by Anutin’s commendation of the officers involved in the operation.