Khon kaen: Authorities in Khon Kaen have seized 5 million methamphetamine pills valued at over 170 million baht in a significant drug bust. Border Patrol Police Region 2, in a coordinated operation, raided a rented house in the Kantarawichai district, uncovering a large cache of methamphetamine pills stored in a pickup truck.

According to Thai News Agency, the raid took place in Ban Don Na, Kantharawichai District, Maha Sarakham Province, following intelligence that methamphetamine was being stockpiled there for distribution across central Thailand. The police apprehended a 26-year-old man from Surin Province inside the house. Though no illegal items were found within the house, the search of the pickup truck revealed 12 sacks containing approximately 5 million methamphetamine pills, with a value surpassing 170 million baht. The suspect, identified as Anucha, or "O," was detained and charged with possession of methamphetamine, a Category 1 narcotic, with intent to sell.

During the initial inquiry, the suspect admitted to being contacted by a Lao financier to transport the drugs from Sakon Nakhon province to inland clients. He disclosed that he would earn 100,000 baht upon successful delivery and claimed this was his first involvement in such an operation.

In a related development, the Taksin Task Force in the Mae Sai District of Chiang Rai Province announced the results of a confrontation and arrest involving a drug trafficking group. This operation followed a patrol near Ban Sai Lom Joy, where authorities spotted 4-6 suspicious individuals carrying sacks covered in black plastic bags across the Sai River from a neighboring country. The group attempted to load the sacks into a white Honda CR-V when confronted by authorities. A brief exchange of gunfire ensued before the suspects fled back across the border. The authorities later recovered four sacks containing approximately 150 kilograms of ketamine, a Type 2 psychotropic substance, and coordinated with the Mae Sai Police Station for further action.