Two Indian tourists arrested 'for trafficking 200kg of crystal meth' into Thailand

Two Indian tourists were arrested for allegedly trafficking crystal meth in Thailand.

Ramesh Muniveli Murali, 45, and Ajeshkumar Madatethukudy Hari, 41, were reportedly unloading suspicious sacks from their car when police stormed into their house in Bangkok on June 23.

Officers seized 440 lbs (200 kg) of crystal methamphetamine concealed in white sacks.

Both men were charged with jointly possessing a Category 1 narcotic for sale.

The raid was launched as provincial police expanded an investigation into a drug network operating in the area.

Police said the pair were part of a large-scale cross-border drug ring, using Pathum Thani, just north of Bangkok, as a transit and storage point.

They found that the group ran a well-organised operation and was preparing to move a large shipment of narcotics across the border into a neighbouring country.

The Indian suspects allegedly used a grey Mitsubishi Mirage to move the drugs and avoid detection by authorities.

Officers said they monitored the suspects before tracking down the vehicle to a house in Bangkok, where it was seen parking in front of the property.

The suspects and the seized items were handed over to an inquiry officer for further legal action.

Authorities said they are tracking down other members of the network.

Pathum Thani Governor Ekkawit Meepian said: ‘This major arrest is in line with government policy, which has designated the drug problem as a national agenda.

‘All government agencies in Pathum Thani and neighbouring areas have integrated efforts and are working proactively to tackle the issue decisively, seriously and comprehensively, ensuring that drug trafficking networks can no longer use Thailand as a transit point or storage hub.'

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 the 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.