508 kg Ice worth over 10 billion baht seized
IN the largest drug bust ever in this country Thai police today (Oct. 17) announced the seizure of 508 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine (Ice) worth over 10 billion baht in northeastern Nakhon Ratchasima province, INN News reported.
National Police Pol.Gen. Chakthip Chaijinda, Deputy National Police Chief Pol. Gen. Chalermkiat Sriworakhan together with police from 3 provinces said the seizure of this huge amount of drug, which is believed to have originated from northern and southern Wa groups, shows that drug traffickers have switched to moving illegal narcotics through the Northeast and not the tightly controlled Northern areas.
The final destination of this massive amount of Ice is believed to be Malaysia.
Pol.Gen. Chakthip said a team of policemen, soldiers and officials seized the drug from a pickup truck which dodged them but was later found parked next to Wat Nong Chaing Kho temple in Nakhon Ratchasima, also known as Korat, after locals alerted them that a suspicious vehicle was parked there.
Further investigation led to the arrest of Mr Thinkorn Khomsingh, 30, who said he was hired by a big financier for 20,000 baht to drive the drug to the central region but he was uncertain of the delivery point.
However police investigation revealed that it was destined to go south and then across the border into Malaysia.
Police are also chasing another suspect who had help Thinkorn smuggle the drug.
Pol.Gen. Chakthip said this is the largest drug seizure ever and shows that the drug traffickers have adjusted their strategy and have moved to smuggle illegal narcotics through the Northeast because of the tight security in the North.
Regarding the raw materials needed to produce these drugs he said Thailand is successful up to a point in blocking the flow but the drug traffickers are smuggling them in through other countries. However Thai police is watching this closely.
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Top: Police display the huge amount of Ice they seized today. Photo: INN News
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