Heroin Poppy Field Raided in Wieng Pa Pao District of Chiang Rai

 

CHIANG RAI – Officials in Chiang Rai have reported that combined forces of the Royal Thai Army, district administration office, volunteer defense force, and local administration office in Chiang Rai Province raided an opium field on Doimonlan Hillside of Wieng pa pao District yesterday, destroying about 8,000 square meters of poppy plants.

Acting on a tip-off, officials raided the field in Wieng pa pao and found opium planted together with corns and cabbages. However, the owner of the field had fled before the combined forces arrived. The officials proceeded to destroy the plants.

According to the officials, violators usually plant poppy with other crops such as corn and cabbage, as they help blocking the view of the illegal plants from helicopter patrols.

The officers said the plant beds are usually located on hillsides near the Thailand – Laos PDR and Thailand – Myanmar borders for easy transportation.

Meanwhile, a 48-year-old man has been shot and killed outside his rented apartment in Mae Sai. According to his girlfriend two young men followed him home pror to the shooting.  His girlfriend who witnessed the crime said she had no clue as to why they would have done such a horrible act.

Mae Sai Police later identified the shooting victim as Somporn Chamkratok.

Police said the two young men escaped along the Mae Sai – Mae Chan road after viewing CCTV footage, the investigation is ongoing.