Chiang mai: "Phumtham" led a press conference announcing the seizure of a large 700-kg shipment of crystal methamphetamine. He confirmed the ongoing intensive drug crackdown, not a flash in the pan, and emphasized the seriousness of all parties involved in the hope of permanently eradicating the drug from Thai society.
According to Thai News Agency, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, presided over a press conference announcing the arrest of a major drug trafficker in Chiang Mai Province. The event was also attended by Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Police Lieutenant General Panurat Lakboon, Secretary-General of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board, Police General Kraibhun Trawasong, Deputy Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police, Mr. Nirat Phongsitthaworn, Director-General of the Department of Provincial Administration, Police Lieutenant General Kritthapol Yisakorn, Commander of Provincial Police Region 5, Mr. Thotsapol Phueanudom, Inspector-General of the Ministry of Interior, and Mr. Chanin Rungthanakiat, Secretary to the Minister of Interior. The event took place in the Phra Phutthaprathanyot Barami Meeting Room, 2nd floor, Provincial Police Region 5, Mahidol Road, Chiang Mai Province.
Mr. Phumtham stated that the drug bust took place on August 18, 2015, at 1:12 a.m., by the 33rd Border Patrol Police Division in conjunction with the 335th Border Patrol Police Company. They intercepted a drug trafficking route in Ban Pa Bong Ngam, Mueang Na Subdistrict, Chiang Dao District, Chiang Mai Province. One suspect was apprehended along with a vehicle seized. The investigation expanded to identify and seize 28 bags of Category 1 narcotics (ice), each weighing 25 kilograms, totaling 700 kilograms, along with a bronze-colored Toyota Tiger single cab with a steel frame. The seizure of 700 kilograms of ice was carried out under the government's Seal Stop Safe operation, supported by the No Drugs No Dealers operation, which aims to enhance operational efficiency by involving all stakeholders to end the drug threat at all levels.
"This arrest operation is another tangible and tangible success. It confirms that when all agencies work together seriously, we can effectively break the cycle of drug trafficking and trafficking. Today, we must continue to move forward because drugs are a persistent problem that has caused suffering to people everywhere. If these issues continue to persist in Thai society, they will continue to cause suffering to the people. We will continue this type of operation. It will not be a flash in the pan, so we urge all relevant sectors to cooperate in searching and taking serious action. Dealers must be prosecuted. Users must receive treatment and rehabilitation, and expedite the rehabilitation process to reunite good people with their families and return them to the nation as future human resources," said Mr. Phumtham.
Mr. Phumtham added that he would like to express his appreciation and gratitude to all officials, including military, police, administrative officials, and all relevant sectors, as well as the media, for their contributions in disseminating information to the public, fostering understanding and widespread cooperation. This reflects the dedication, sacrifice, and courage of officials from all sectors who have worked tirelessly and consistently, despite significant risks, to prevent the spread of drugs into Thai society.
Mr. Phumtham reiterated that he has fully coordinated with foreign countries, having the ONCB Secretary-General coordinate with China, Vietnam, and Laos to discuss the matter. However, he added that it would be difficult for Cambodia to speak about this matter because there are still existing problems.
The ONCB Secretary-General stated that this batch of crystal methamphetamine contained a durian-branded package. He stated that the durian-branded package had been inspected and that this was the sixth case in Chiang Dao District, Chiang Mai Province. This batch was not used in Thailand. Upon inspection, the drugs were sent to Taiwan. He stated that intelligence sources had learned that this batch had been sent from Yangon to Taiwan, with the drugs being stored in Indonesia. He confirmed that this batch of crystal methamphetamine is a humanitarian problem that requires serious action, particularly in Southeast Asia. The heroin and crystal methamphetamine problem is a transit point for a third country. The Acting Prime Minister has instructed the ONCB to work with China and other countries to integrate international cooperation to address this problem permanently.