Nonthaburi: A thrilling chase ensued as a suspect sped away, crashing into multiple vehicles before throwing away 5 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine. One police officer was injured in the pursuit, but the suspect was ultimately caught.
According to Thai News Agency, around 9:30 PM last night, while patrol officers and police volunteers from Rattanathibet Police Station in Nonthaburi Province were patrolling the area near the entrance of Soi Ngamwongwan 1 in Mueang Nonthaburi District, they noticed a suspicious vehicle parked in the dark inside the soi. They shone flashlights to investigate, but the driver sped away. Police pursued the vehicle along Ngamwongwan Road towards Phong Phet Intersection. The vehicle swerved in front of other cars throughout the chase before turning onto the expressway heading towards Chaeng Wattana Road. During the escape, officers observed occupants of the vehicle throwing objects out several times. Upon reaching the Chaeng Wattana expressway exit, officers attempted to stop the suspicious vehicle, but a collision occurred, causing the police van to swerve. Officers then shot at the tires before successfully apprehending the vehicle on Chaeng Wattana Road.
The arrested individuals are Mr. Kraisri, or Toon, 43, from Nakhon Si Thammarat province, and Mr. Warawut, or Sid, 20, from Krabi province, who are father-in-law and son-in-law. A search of their vehicle revealed a suitcase and three black instant noodle cups. Each cup contained sachets of Chinese tea concealing 1 kilogram of methamphetamine, totaling 3 kilograms. Authorities then retraced their escape route on the expressway and found two more instant noodle cups, which were seized as evidence. The total amount of methamphetamine seized was 5 kilograms.
Mr. Kraisri confessed, claiming he traveled from Nakhon Si Thammarat province with his daughter and son-in-law to drop his daughter off at a university in Phetchaburi province. After dropping his daughter off, a friend who owned the car he lent him asked him to help pick up a package at Soi Ngamwongwan 43. After picking up the package, he drove to find a place to park and rest, until he found an abandoned gas station where he encountered the police patrol. Panic ensued, and he drove away because he thought the package his friend had asked him to pick up contained drugs, as this friend had previously been arrested for drug offenses and they had known each other while incarcerated in Nakhon Si Thammarat province. He had only been released from prison 4 months prior for attempted murder, serving 7 years and 6 months. Mr. Warawut claimed he knew nothing about the drugs, but his father-in-law asked him to help unpack the cardboard box containing the drugs to throw away.
Investigators are not yet convinced by the statements of the two suspects and have charged them with jointly possessing a Category 1 narcotic (methamphetamine) with intent to sell. They have been handed over to investigators at Rattanathibeth Police Station for legal proceedings, and investigations are underway to identify other members of the criminal network.