9 arrests as police net huge drugs haul in 4 cases in north, north-east

Millions of methamphetamine pills, over 800 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, and over 700 kilograms of cannabis have been seized by police in 4 separate cases. The Narcotics Suppression Bureau confirmed the seizures, along with the arrests of 9 suspects, at its headquarters in Bangkok. The parade of police and the seized narcotics are a staple in Thai police PR.

The Bangkok Post reports that the first bust took place in the north-eastern province of Sakon Nakhon, when 19 year old Anupan Piemfah and 44 year old Monchai Pliennoi were arrested at a petrol station after police received a tip-off that they were in possession of 704 kilograms of cannabis. The drug was discovered in 16 sacks, inside a Toyota car. It’s understood the men had picked the drug up from suppliers in the north-east and were delivering it to customers in central and southern Thailand.

Police in the north-east also arrested 4 men and seized 455 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine and 50 ecstasy tablets. The suspects are 27 year old Thanapat Tancharoen, 28 year old Komsan Pothisonothai, 41 year old Wuthipong Surarit, and 33 year old Niran Thongkallaya. They are accused of picking the drugs up at various locations along the Mekong River in the north-eastern province of Nakhon Phanom, with plans to deliver the drugs to customers in the southern province of Pattani, on the Malaysian border. During the arrests, Wuthipong shot at police as he tried to flee. He and Komsan also face charges of illegal possession of firearms.

3 men of Hmong ethnicity who live in Tak province, bordering Myanmar, have been arrested in Nakhon Phanom and the northern province of Nakhon Sawan. All 3 are accused of transporting over 4 million methamphetamine pills, concealed in 19 sacks. They have been named as 33 year old Noohua Sae Mah, 28 year old Wathanyu Sae Song, and 22 year old Niboon Songsatwong.

The fourth case netted 370 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, 400,000 meth pills and 250 kilos of ketamine, which were seized at a sugar cane farm in the north-eastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima, also known as Korat. It’s understood the drugs were due to be picked up by smugglers. As yet, there have been no arrests in this case.

Last week, police seized over 11 tonnes of ketamine, valued around 29 billion baht, that was being stored at a warehouse in the province of Chachoengsao, just east of Bangkok.

SOURCE: Bangkok Post