Thailand seizes over 22 million meth pills near Myanmar border

Record ID: 1360570

  • Title: Thailand seizes over 22 million meth pills near Myanmar border
  • Date: 15th October 2018
  • Summary: BANGKOK, THAILAND (OCTOBER 15, 2018) (REUTERS) ****WARNING: CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** VARIOUS OF PACKS OF METHAMPHETAMINE PILLS BEING UNLOADED FROM TRUCK LABEL ON TOP OF DRUG PILE READING (Thai): "CASE 1" AND "12,200,000 METHAMPHETAMINE PILLS" LABEL ON TABLE NEXT TO DRUG PILE READING (Thai): "10,000,000 METHAMPHETAMINE PILLS" GUNS AND PACKS OF CRYSTAL METHAMPHETAMINE O
  • Embargoed: 29th October 2018 07:17
  • Keywords: methamphetamine meth drug bust Thai-Myanmar border Thai police drugs seizure police drugs Thailand yaba crazy drug
  • Location: BANGKOK, THAILAND
  • City: BANGKOK, THAILAND
  • Country: Thailand
  • Topics: Crime/Law/Justice,Crime
  • Reuters ID: LVA001926D9OL
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text:Thai police have seized over 22 million methamphetamine pills in the northern province of Chiang Rai, near the border with Myanmar, authorities said on Monday (October 15), in the latest major drugs bust in the region.
    Police said over 12.2 million of the pills, known as "yaba" or "crazy drug", were seized on Saturday (October 13) and 10 million on Sunday (October 14). They did not reveal the value of the haul, but based on estimates from recent seizures, the pills could be worth about 2.35 billion baht ($71 million).
    The pills were en route through Thailand, police added, and possibly destined for a third country.
    Police and the Narcotics Suppression Bureau displayed the haul which was neatly packaged into bags, along with other drug seizures from seven cases over the past two weeks, including 100 kilograms of crystal meth, 1.8 tonnes of marijuana and 8 kilograms of cocaine.
    Thirteen suspects have been arrested in connection with the cases, six in relation to Saturday's bust, police said. Investigations are still ongoing.
    The production and trafficking of methamphetamine in Southeast Asia has reached "alarming levels", the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) warned in a May report. Record seizures of the stimulant have recently been made in Malaysia and Indonesia.
    Much of the methamphetamine produced in the region comes from lawless parts of Myanmar, in particular Shan State, which has long been known for the production of opium and its refined form, heroin. In recent years, the drug syndicates have branched out into the production of methamphetamine.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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