Chumphon: Highway police launched an operation "Latch-Hold-Press" to intercept a drug smuggling operation transporting 1 million methamphetamine pills before they could be sent to the southern border. Pol. Lt. Col. Intarat Panya, Superintendent of Highway Police Division 7, announced the results of the operation following the arrest of one suspect at the Ban Phala checkpoint, Chaiyarat Subdistrict, Pathio District, Chumphon Province. The operation uncovered approximately 100 kilograms of methamphetamine (ice), a Category 1 narcotic, and revealed an expanded drug trafficking network. The suspects were using a silver Honda City to transport the drugs from Chiang Rai Province, through the Bangkok metropolitan area, and into the southern region.
According to Thai News Agency, upon investigation, it was found that the vehicle was traveling in Nakhon Si Thammarat province. An operation was initiated to investigate and plan an arrest should any wrongdoing be discovered. On the same day, at approximately 10:10 AM, the vehicle was spotted driving on Highway 41, coming from Thung Song district, Nakhon Si Thammarat province, heading towards Phatthalung province (southbound). A police patrol car in the area identified itself and signaled the vehicle to stop for inspection.
Initially, the driver appeared suspicious and gave inconsistent answers. Officers determined that Mr. Atthasit (last name withheld) was the driver and Ms. Siramol (last name withheld) was the passenger. Both were then taken, along with the vehicle, to the Cha-uat Highway Police Public Service Unit in Koh Khan Subdistrict, Cha-uat District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province for a search.
During the search, approximately 1,000,000 methamphetamine pills (category 1 narcotics) were discovered hidden under the rear seat backrest, beneath the spare tire compartment. The suspects were charged with "jointly selling categorical 1 narcotics (methamphetamine) with intent to sell without permission, for commercial purposes, causing distribution among the public, and impacting national security or public safety." The suspects and the seized evidence were then handed over to investigators at Division 5, Crime Suppression Division, for further legal proceedings.
During initial questioning, Mr. Atthasit confessed to all charges, admitting to receiving 35,000 baht per trip and having done it once. Ms. Siramol, however, denied the charges, claiming she was merely a passenger traveling in the southern region.