Northern Thailand Drug Bust: 2.7 Million Meth Pills Seized Near Border

Authorities in Northern Thailand have foiled a major drug smuggling operation near the border. On September 15, the Pha Muang Force seized approximately 2.7 million methamphetamine pills discovered in a forest in the Chiang Dao District of Chiang Mai province. The bust was a result of a tip-off to the Na Wai Police Station regarding drug movement through the region. Smugglers had planned to hide the illicit stash near Ban Rin Luang village, prompting police to establish patrols along known smuggling routes. During a late-night patrol, suspicious large sacks were found deep in the woods near the border in the Mueang Na subdistrict around 3:00 a.m. Police secured the area and awaited military backup. By 6:00 a.m., a special task force from the Pha Muang Force and Company 335 Border Patrol Police arrived to conduct a joint search. The careful inspection revealed 10 yellow drug sacks, fashioned into heavy backpacks. Inside these bags, officers found approximately 270,000 pills each, totaling 2.7 million pills marked with a "999" logo, which is often associated with major drug networks in the area. A press conference was held at 1:30 p.m., where Col. Somjet Phonprasert, representing the military commander, praised the swift action and teamwork between the police and army. Lt. Col. Sombat Inthod from the Na Wai Police Station stated that the seized drugs have been handed over as evidence, and investigations are underway to track down the smugglers and dismantle the network behind this operation.