Bangkok:Police have expanded their investigations into two drug trafficking networks, arresting seven suspects. Police General Itthipol Achariyapradit, Deputy Commissioner General of the Royal Thai Police, along with Police Lieutenant General Siam Boonsom, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, jointly announced the results of two drug trafficking cases, seizing over 600 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine and arresting seven suspects.
According to Thai News Agency, in the first case, Metropolitan Police Division 7 expanded its investigation into a drug trafficking network after seizing nearly 9 million methamphetamine pills in March. Following this, they traced the suspects to a group distributing drugs in the eastern region. Most recently, they raided a rented house in Bang Lamung District, Chonburi Province, arresting five suspects and seizing a total of 400 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine.
This arrest stems from a joint investigation by the Metropolitan Police Division 7 and the Army's military intelligence unit. It expanded on the arrest of suspects with 8.99 million methamphetamine pills on March 8th, leading to the discovery of a drug trafficking network distributing drugs to customers in the eastern region. At 500 AM on October 28th, officers monitored the target group and learned they were hiding the drugs in a rented house in Nong Prue Subdistrict, Bang Lamung District, Chonburi Province, awaiting delivery. They then raided the house and arrested five suspects.
Authorities seized a total of 400 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine. This included 230 bags of crystal methamphetamine, weighing approximately 230 kilograms, hidden in a red Isuzu MU-X pickup truck parked in front of the house, and another 170 bags weighing approximately 170 kilograms found inside the rented house.
Initially, all five suspects were charged with jointly selling Category 1 narcotics, specifically methamphetamine or crystal meth, with intent to sell without permission. This act constitutes commercial activity and leads to its distribution among the public, as well as affecting national security or public safety. All suspects confessed to the charges. Authorities are currently expanding the investigation before transferring the suspects and seized evidence to the Narcotics Suppression Division for further legal proceedings.
In another case, police investigators from Metropolitan Police Division 1 expanded their investigation and apprehended a drug trafficking network operating in Bangkok and its surrounding areas. After monitoring a suspicious vehicle, they searched a van at a gas station in the Bang Bon area and found 210 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine hidden in sacks. Two suspects were arrested and will be prosecuted.
This operation took place at approximately 1130 PM on October 27th. Investigators from the Metropolitan Police Division 1 inspected a gas station on Kanchanaphisek Road, Khlong Bang Phran Subdistrict, Bang Bon District, Bangkok, following intelligence on the movements of a drug trafficking network operating in Bangkok and surrounding areas.
Prior to the arrest, officers had been monitoring a suspicious van that pulled into a gas station. Another car then arrived to pick up the van driver, before another car pulled up alongside, allowing the occupants to get out and drive the van. Officers then approached and inspected the vehicle, finding two men, Mr. Natdanai, 43, and Mr. Saichol, 44, along with suspicious sacks inside the van. A search revealed 210 kilograms of methamphetamine. Both men were arrested, and the drugs were seized as evidence.
Initially, the suspect was charged with selling a Category 1 narcotic drug, or methamphetamine, with intent to sell commercially without permission and illegally distributing it among the public. The suspect was then transferred to the Narcotics Suppression Bureau (NSB) for legal proceedings, and further investigations will be conducted to identify other members of the criminal network.