Police Seize 80 Million Baht in Assets During Nationwide Drug Raids
Police have confiscated assets worth approximately 80 million baht in a large-scale anti-drug operation spanning six provinces, while also arresting a key suspect linked to a major narcotics network.
Coordinated Raids Across Multiple Provinces
Between March 2-5, about 200 officers from the police and army conducted raids at 10 locations across Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Suphan Buri, Ang Thong, Sukhothai, and Ayutthaya. The operation was launched after arrest warrants were issued for three key suspects, according to Pol Lt Gen Panurat Lakboon, Secretary-General of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB).
Drug Network and Key Players
The primary suspect, Mr. Techin, is accused of procuring crystal methamphetamine and heroin from a neighboring country, smuggling it into Thailand through Chiang Rai, and transporting it to a third country.
The other two suspects identified were Mr. Phakphum, responsible for financial operations and drug transport, and Mr. Chamang, who handled drug distribution under Techin’s orders.
During the raids, police managed to arrest Mr. Phakphum, while Mr. Techin and Mr. Chamang remain at large.
Confiscated Assets
Authorities seized a variety of high-value assets linked to the drug network, including:
- Land and buildings
- Luxury cars
- Gold jewelry
- Bank accounts
Previous Drug Busts Led to Operation
This operation was an extension of prior investigations. On Oct 22, police arrested several individuals, confiscating 154 kg of heroin and 7.6 million baht in assets.
Later, on Feb 15-16, three more suspects from the same network were caught with 500 kg of crystal methamphetamine, and assets worth 9 million baht were seized.
Further investigation identified Mr. Techin as the key operator managing drug trafficking operations in Thailand’s northern and central regions.
Authorities are now intensifying efforts to locate and arrest the remaining fugitives while continuing their crackdown on major drug networks in the country.
