Chiang Rai News
Drug Trafficker Killed in Chiang Rai’s Mae Sai District
CHIANGRAI – A 34 year old Lahu man has been shot an killed during a clash with Chiang Rai police, during which 300,000 methamphetamine pills were seized late on Tuesday night.
Police Officials said the gun battle occurred when police at a checkpoint on Ban Na-Ban San Kong road in tambon Pong Pha of Chiang Rai’s Mae Sai district signaled the driver of a pickup truck to stop for an inspection.
Panicking the driver and a passenger opened fire on police with handguns. Police fired back and when the shooting stopped about five minutes later they found the dead body of the driver, still holding a .38 pistol in his right hand.
The Driver has been identified as Suk Wannakon, 34, a Lahu tribesman and a resident of tambon Mae Yao of Chiang Rai.
During the shoot out the passenger somehow managed to escape in the dark.
Chiang Rai Police search the pickup truck and found 300,000 tablets of methamphetamine, or yaba, hidden inside.
Chiang Rai Police believe Suk Wannakon and his passenger were members of the gang run by wanted Drug Lord Col Yise.