Thai police intercept one tonne of crystal meth and drugs, headed for export markets

Record ID: 1707882

  • Title: Thai police intercept one tonne of crystal meth and drugs, headed for export markets
  • Date: 24th January 2023
  • Summary: BANGKOK, THAILAND (JANUARY 24, 2023) (REUTERS) OFFICIALS POURING OUT PACKAGES OF TEA AND COFFEE WHICH CONTAIN CRYSTAL METHAMPHETAMINE VARIOUS OF OFFICIALS ARRANGING TEA AND COFFEE PACKAGES CONCEALING CRYSTAL METH PACKAGE WITH TEXT READING (English): "REFINED CHINESE TEA", WHICH CONTAINS CRYSTAL METH OFFICIALS POURING OUT SEIZED PACKAGES OFFICIALS ARRANGING PACKAGES TEXT ON PACKAGE READING (English): “QING SHAN” VARIOUS OF NEWS CONFERENCE STARTING (SOUNDBITE) (Thai) DEPUTY COMMISSIONER GENERAL OF ROYAL THAI POLICE, CHINNAPAT SARASIN, SAYING: “Today, we have seized narcotics, crystal methamphetamine, amounting to more than 1.1 tonnes from all of the total confiscated objects. Crystal meth is mostly exported to other countries through Thailand due to the convenience in transportation." SWAT TEAM POLICE OFFICER STANDING AND LOOKING ON TEXT ON OFFICIAL’S ARM BADGE READING (English): “NARCOTICS SUPPRESSION BUREAU / ROYAL THAI POLICE” (SOUNDBITE) (Thai) ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER GENERAL OF ROYAL THAI POLICE, PRACHAUB WONGSUK, SAYING: “The reason why there are so many illegal drugs currently out there is because of advanced technology that has helped its mass production. Therefore, they use this opportunity to bring these items into our area. Therefore, we need to be more strict at every channel - border, trafficking path, and storage.” VARIOUS OF BOARD DISPLAYING DRUG TRAFFICKING ROUTE VARIOUS OF OFFICIAL PRESENTING DRUG TRAFFICKING ROUTE AND VEHICLE USED IN CRIME CHINNAPAT LISTENING TEXT ON BOARD READING (Thai): “SUSPECT’S HOUSE, RIM KHONG SUB-DISTRICT, CHIANG KHONG DISTRICT, CHIANG RAI PROVINCE” OFFICIALS HOLDING CONFISCATED CRYSTAL METH (SOUNDBITE) (Thai) DEPUTY COMMISSIONER GENERAL OF ROYAL THAI POLICE, CHINNAPAT SARASIN, SAYING: “The country that (drug dealers) export to a lot is Taiwan. Taiwan is the frequent destination. And so, we and the Taiwanese police have been working together frequently. We exchange information with each other all the time.” CONFISCATED VEHICLE USED IN CRIME VARIOUS OF SECRET COMPARTMENTS INSIDE VEHICLE USED FOR SMUGGLING ILLEGAL DRUGS
  • Embargoed: 7th February 2023 06:21
  • Keywords: Bangkok Crystal Methamphetamine Thailand confiscated drug drug trafficking narcotics police
  • Location: BANGKOK, THAILAND
  • City: BANGKOK, THAILAND
  • Country: Thailand
  • Topics: Asia / Pacific,Crime/Law/Justice
  • Reuters ID: LVA001464424012023RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text:Thai police said on Tuesday (January 24) that over one tonne of confiscated crystal methamphetamine seized in early January from three separate cases were destined for neighbouring and other countries.
    The 1.145 tonnes of crystal meth or 'ice' were mostly being smuggled inside tea and coffee packages, hidden in secret compartments of vehicles.
    They were being transported from the north and northeastern region.
    The drugs were heading southward to the border areas, according to a Narcotics Suppression Bureau press release.
    Police refused to reveal the market value of the intercepted drugs.
    Six suspects have been arrested, authorities added.
    Assistant Commissioner General of the Royal Thai Police, Prachuab Wongsuk, told Reuters that 'advanced technology' has been used in mass production of the illicit drugs and authorities will be tightening measures to prevent drugs from slipping through various trafficking channels.
    Police said an investigation is still underway to widen the search for other escaped fugitives.
    (Production: Artorn Pookasook, Napat Wesshasartar)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2023. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register