Chiang rai: Soldiers engaged in a fierce gun battle with a drug trafficking gang, seizing 312 kg of crystal meth. A confrontation occurred between the 2nd Cavalry Company of the King Taksin Task Force and a drug trafficking ring near Pha Hami village, in the Mae Sai district of Chiang Rai province, resulting in the seizure of a significant quantity of crystal methamphetamine. Despite the successful confiscation, the suspects managed to escape, capitalizing on their familiarity with the area and the cover of night.

According to Thai News Agency, the encounter began when a special task force of the Taksin Army was patrolling near Ban Pha Hami, Moo 6, Wiang Phang Kham Subdistrict. The officers noticed a group of 10-15 individuals carrying backpacks and modified sacks, suspected to be smuggling drugs from a neighboring country. When the officers attempted to stop and search the suspects, the group retaliated with gunfire, sparking a five-minute exchange.

After the gunfight ended, the suspects used their knowledge of the terrain and darkness to flee the scene. The following morning, authorities conducted a sweep of the area and discovered 13 modified burlap sacks abandoned in the woods. Each sack contained approximately 24 kilograms of methamphetamine, totaling around 312 kilograms of the illicit substance.

The authorities have seized the evidence and transferred it to investigators at Mae Sai Police Station. The next steps involve legal proceedings and further investigation to uncover the network behind this trafficking operation.