Police seize over 1,000 Yaba pills in Phetchaburi drug sting

A drug sting in Phetcha Buri by Thai police earlier today saw the apprehension of a 28 year old man and his unsuspecting 24 year old girlfriend. The police had been tipped off about a planned drug transaction, with delivery in an Isuzu pickup truck near the Nong Buay Agricultural Market in Tha Yang.

Upon receiving the intelligence, Police Colonel Chokchai Nielsen, the Superintendent of Tha Yang Police Station, dispatched Deputy Superintendent Police Lieutenant Colonel Arthapong Nokkunthong, along with the investigative unit of Tha Yang Police Station and officers from the 1st Subdivision of the Tourist Police Division 3.

Amidst the rainfall, they managed to detain the driver, Natthawut along with his girlfriend, identified only as Miss B, while they were in the vehicle.

A search of the pickup truck revealed a significant haul of methamphetamine pills, commonly known as Yaba concealed in various hiding spots within the vehicle.

Some 58 pills were discovered in a blue plastic bag inside a pair of jeans, with three more plastic bags containing methamphetamine stashed inside the door compartment of the driver’s side and two more bags were hidden under the driver’s seat cushion, amounting to a total of 1,067 pills.

The vehicle, now considered evidence in the ongoing investigation, was thoroughly searched again at Tha Yang Police Station, but no additional contraband was found.

Intended to distribute

Natthawut admitted ownership of the methamphetamine, claiming he purchased five bags from an agent known only as Ice inthe Cha-am district for 9,000 baht. He intended to distribute the drugs to his clients, having agreed to sell two bags of 200 pills each at 2,000 baht per bag to a customer in Tha Yang district.

Before leaving his home in Khao Yai, Natthawut informed Miss B that he had errands to run in Tha Yang without revealing the true nature of his trip. Oblivious to his intentions, Miss B requested to tag along to buy food for their son at a shopping mall in Tha Yang.

While waiting for the client, the police closed in, prompting Natthawut to attempt to hide the drugs in the vehicle’s seat crevice and door compartment to evade arrest. Though his girlfriend was present, she was reportedly unaware of his illicit activities.

Despite her apparent lack of involvement in the crime, the couple was initially charged with possession of a Category 1 narcotic with intent to distribute for commercial purposes. They were both taken into custody and are now facing legal proceedings at Tha Yang Police Station.

This operation underscores the ongoing battle against drug trafficking in Thailand and the vigilant efforts of law enforcement to curb the spread of narcotics amidst challenging conditions.