Chiang Rai News
Chiang Rai Hmong Tribesmen Sentenced to Life for Drug Trafficking
According to the public prosecution, the two defendants, Salidet sae Thao and Sitthichai sae Yang, and a few other accomplices who are still at large tried to smuggle 1.97 million methamphetamine tablets and 20 kgs of ice from the Burmese border through Chiang Rai to Bangkok to be delivered to their clients. The attempt took place on February 13-14.
The gang travelled in two pick-up trucks with Salidet riding in a Mitsubishie laden with the drugs with Prasit sae Yang as the driver. Sitthichai rode in Nissan pick-up truck providing escort to the first.
The two trucks were however intercepted by narcotic police en route to Bangkok resulting to a car chase and gunfight. Prasit was shot dead as he tried to hurl a hand grenade at the police.
Salidet and Sitthichai were later arrested by the police. Found hidden under fertilizer bags were a large cache of narcotic drugs.
The court first sentenced the duo to death but commuted the sentence to life imprisonment for their confession which was deemed useful.