7 Teens arrested in 30 Million Baht Drug Bust in Northern Thailand

Investigators expanded the operation and caught Thanesuan Pensuwapap and two accomplices at an apartment

 

CHIANGRAI – Police have arrested seven suspects and seized illegal drugs with an estimated street price of 30 million baht after a prison drug ring bust.

A combined 120,607 methamphetamine pills, or ya ba, and 4.8 kilogrammes of crystal meth, or ya ice, and drug-related tools were confiscated in three separate arrests, police reported.

Phitsanulok police with seven suspected drug dealers arrested in a recent sting operation in the northern province

Police received information that several teenagers had been smuggling drugs into Muang district. The group was linked with Amnart Nootchom, an inmate who is serving time at Phitsanulok prison on drug convictions.

The police then conducted a sting operation at the prison and apprehended Chanya Tohsitnanop and two accomplices, seizing 607 ya ba pills.

Investigators expanded the operation and caught Thanesuan Pensuwapap and two accomplices at an apartment on Thammabucha road, confiscating 80,000 speed pills and 4.589kg of crystal meth.

The clues from the two busts then lead to the arrest of Surachat Saewa, a tour bus driver in charge of transporting the illegal merchandise from Chiang Rai. Police seized 40,000 ya ba pills in the arrest.

Mr Thanesuan confessed that he received orders from Mr Amnart to pick up the narcotics at a designated location and stash it at an apartment so that the drugs could later be divided among clients. He said he was paid 5,000 baht per bundle.

All suspects were charged with possession of illegal drugs. Police are trying to track down the main agent.