Thai police seize 300kg of meth in narcotics crackdown

Police seized 300 kilograms of crystal meth in a narcotics crackdown in northeast Thailand.

Officers intercepted a drug smuggling operation in Nakhon Ratchasima on May 10.

The operation followed an expanded investigation linked to the dismantling of a major narcotics network in Samut Prakan earlier this year.

Investigators found that the network used ‘pilots', or drug runners, to transport narcotics from northeast Thailand to storage locations in Greater Bangkok before distribution to customers.

On May 8, the suspects were reportedly seen travelling to the northeastern region in a black MG and a green Isuzu to collect a large shipment of drugs. One vehicle acted as a lead car while the other carried the narcotics.

The arrest team intercepted both vehicles along Mittraphap Road on May 10. They pointed out that the Isuzu vehicle appeared unusually heavy before the driver tried to flee, sparking a high-speed car chase.

Footage shows cops pinning down the suspect after they blocked his car on the highway.

Two alleged smugglers, Ratchanon, 21, and Wiphat, 39, were arrested.

Police also seized around 331 kilogrammes (661 pounds) of crystal methamphetamine, both vehicles, and several mobile phones. The assets were worth more than 33 million baht.

Police Colonel Suphachai Chaisuwan, superintendent of the Children and Women Protection Sub-Division, said: ‘The suspects confessed that they were hired to transport the narcotics under instructions from the owner and were promised payment of 250,000 baht in cash.'

The pair were charged with conspiring to distribute Category 1 narcotics by possessing them for distribution for commercial purposes in a manner causing widespread circulation among the public and affecting national security or public safety.

Suphachai added that investigators have already identified other individuals connected to the network and were gathering evidence to seek arrest warrants against them.

Thailand has become a notorious hub for drug 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.