Bangkok: A lieutenant colonel involved in money laundering and a lieutenant on a drug trafficking team have been arrested as part of a major crackdown on a transnational drug trafficking network.
According to Thai News Agency, the Narcotics Suppression Bureau (NSB) expanded its investigation on March 2nd into the network led by "Sia Jiew," resulting in the arrest of a Lieutenant Colonel from the Ministry of Defence for money laundering and a Lieutenant tasked with smuggling narcotics into Thailand.
Pol. Col. Suriya Singhakamol, Secretary-General of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB), announced the second phase of Operation "Cutting Out the Cancer," aimed at dismantling the drug network. The operation began on December 26, 2024, with the interception of 1,418 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine in Chiang Rai Province. The investigation revealed Mr. Chutithan, or "Sia Jiew," as the mastermind, who had previously been arrested for heroin trafficking in 2006.
Authorities continued their crackdown on March 8, 2025, tracking a military-like vehicle leading to a shootout and the seizure of over 1,400 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine. Seven suspects, including former soldiers, were apprehended. On February 12, 2026, a sweeping search in multiple locations led to the arrest of key figures in the drug trafficking team and the seizure of assets valued at over 122 million baht.
Further investigations exposed suspicious financial transactions linked to a Lieutenant Colonel and his family. Arrest warrants were issued, and another operation on February 25, 2026, led to the arrest of Lieutenant Colonel Pan and his wife in Bangkok. Pol. Col. Singhakamol emphasized the crackdown's success in crippling a crucial funding source for drug networks, despite "Sia Jiew" remaining at large.
Intelligence reports indicate that "Sia Jiew" was previously involved in smuggling heroin into Taiwan in 2019. This operation underscores the commitment to transparency and public trust, with a promise of decisive action against any involved officials. The public is encouraged to report illegal activities to the Narcotics Suppression Bureau hotline.