Chiang rai: A pickup truck carrying a large quantity of crystal methamphetamine overturned in Chiang Rai province. The driver escaped during the ensuing chaos. Authorities seized over 884 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine.
According to Thai News Agency, late last night, police from Ban Saew Police Station, along with local officials from Chiang Saen District and soldiers from the Pha Muang Task Force, investigated an accident involving a pickup truck with a steel frame, registered in Chiang Rai, that had overturned on Highway 1290 in Chiang Saen District, Chiang Rai Province, just 100 meters from Ban Saew Temple.
The interior and cargo bed of the vehicle were filled with black bags containing approximately 24 sacks of crystal methamphetamine, totaling about 800 blocks and weighing a total of 884.25 kilograms including packaging. The driver took advantage of the panic as onlookers gathered to investigate and escaped.
Authorities towed the pickup truck and all the seized items to Ban Saew Police Station for detailed counting and verification. A review of nearby CCTV footage revealed the vehicle was traveling from Chiang Saen district towards Chiang Khong district before veering off the road and crashing. The license plate lacked a watermark, suggesting it was likely a fake plate used to mislead authorities. Police are currently checking the vehicle's chassis number and expanding the investigation to track down and arrest the driver and the entire drug trafficking ring.