Police seize dozens of fishing boats linked to international drug network in major crackdown

Police seized dozens of fishing boats linked to an international drug network in a major crackdown.

The Department of Special Investigation coordinated with the Office of the Narcotics Control Board, Navy, Police, Army, and local authorities to seize assets worth over 77 million baht during raids in Ranong, Thailand, from September 30 to October 1.

The department announced the results of the crackdown today.

The operation was launched following the earlier arrest of eight suspects with 2.4 tonnes of crystal meth worth around three billion baht.

A transnational organised crime network was believed to be behind the suspected drug smuggling, triggering a wider probe on five target locations in Ranong.

Authorities said they seized and froze assets, including over 50 fishing vessels, land and buildings, 30 cars and motorcycles, and more than 50 bank accounts.

Piyasiri Wattanawarangkun, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Justice, said: ‘This operation targeted key drug trafficking targets and is by no means the endpoint.

‘Relevant agencies are currently integrating efforts to expand investigations, issue arrest warrants, and seize assets belonging to masterminds and financiers behind the syndicate.

‘Furthermore, the Department of Special Investigation stands ready to enhance maritime intelligence sharing and cooperation with international law enforcement agencies to continuously block transport channels and dismantle these networks.

‘This is to ensure that all individuals involved, as well as the networks behind drug trafficking operations, are prosecuted.'

Thailand has become a notorious hub for drug use, production, and trafficking. In the north of the country, the ‘Golden Triangle' area shares borders with Laos and Myanmar, and has produced large amounts of opium since the 1950s but focus in recent years has shifted to the more profitable methamphetamine.

Officials believe most of the meth is produced in the Shan State of Myanmar before being distributed through neighbouring countries where prices are higher before ending up in the most expensive markets of Australia, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Singapore.

However, cracking down on drug production has been complicated by the influx of crime gangs from China and the Burmese civil war, which has seen the army take over the country - along with control of lucrative drugs chains.