The Saraburi police apprehended a significant drug trafficking operation, seizing over 5 million methamphetamine pills. Two suspects confessed to being paid 70,000 baht for transporting the drugs, while a lookout received 20,000 baht for their role. The drugs were traced back to Phetchabun Province and were intended for distribution in the central region of Thailand.
On October 8, 2024, high-ranking officials including Police Colonel Chayanon Mhasathi and Narcotics Control Officer Jiraporn Kanthapradit commended the investigative teams involved in the drug bust in Chaloem Phra Kiat District, Saraburi. They reported seizing a large quantity of meth pills along with the suspects and the vehicles used for trafficking.
This operation stemmed from earlier investigations linked to a major drug case in Wang Noi District, Ayutthaya Province, and Phra Phutthabat District, Saraburi, on September 27, 2024. Authorities had tracked the drug trafficking route from neighboring countries, leading to the interception of the drugs on the night of October 6, 2024.
During the operation, officers followed a white Isuzu D-Max driven by 36-year-old Sarawut Timjan and a grey Honda City driven by 26-year-old Kritsana Sarsom, who was scouting the route. The officers managed to apprehend them at a parking lot near a convenience store in Chaloem Phra Kiat District.
The seized items included:
1. 5,390,000 meth pills over 12 sacks
2. One white Isuzu D-Max used for transporting drugs
3. One grey Honda City used for route surveillance
Both Sarawut and Kritsana were charged with drug trafficking offenses due to their unauthorized possession of the meth pills for commercial distribution, which poses a threat to public safety and national security.
During questioning, Sarawut and Kritsana revealed that they had transported drugs from Phetchabun for delivery in the central region, with Sarawut receiving 70,000 baht for transport and Kritsana 20,000 baht for surveillance. If sold, the drugs could fetch a market value of around 107,000,000 baht.
Police Colonel Kraisorn Sriamphan noted that this bust was linked to a major drug operation that began in late September 2024, orchestrated by a gang operating from abroad.
When asked about recent large drug busts, Jiraporn Kanthapradit expressed concerns that drug traffickers appear unafraid of legal repercussions, suggesting a need to review and potentially increase penalties for drug-related offenses.
This article was rewritten from a Thairath’s news article.
