Mae ai: Border patrol soldiers seized 57.6 kilograms of raw opium, worth approximately 2 million baht, following intelligence reports of drug smuggling from a neighboring country across the border into Thailand via natural crossing points.
According to Thai News Agency, a joint operation involving border patrol officers, soldiers, and local administrative officials in Mae Ai District, Chiang Mai Province, led to the seizure of the opium. The opium, valued at 30,000 baht per kilogram at the border, totals approximately 2 million baht and could double in price if transported to Bangkok.
The operation was initiated after receiving intelligence on drug smuggling activities from a neighboring country into Thailand. During a patrol, authorities encountered a group of 5-10 individuals in a monitored area. As the patrol attempted to identify and search the suspects, the group fired shots and fled, leaving behind four backpacks. The backpacks contained 57.6 kilograms of opium, 191 methamphetamine pills, a homemade firearm, and a walkie-talkie. Authorities are now working to expand the investigation and apprehend other members of the smuggling network.