Drug Runners Busted in Northern Thailand after Trying to Smuggle Drugs in Two Ambulances

 

PHAYAO -Three suspects were arrested in the northern province of Phayao late Sunday night with 400 kilograms of ‘ice’ and ketamine in 2 ambulances normally hired for emergency services.

Police followed the two ambulances from Chiang Rai Province and made arrest attempt in Phayao Province.

According to police reports the suspects fired at policemen trying to stop the ambulances on Soi Sri Samran, tambon Dok Kham Tai, Phayao’s Dok Kham Tai district, at about 8.30pm.

Officers then returned fire and shot out the front tire of one of the ambulances causing it to lose control and careen into a ditch, while the other ambulance was finally stopped at a checkpoint in Muang Phayao district.

Upon a search Police found a total of 300kg of crystal meth or “ice” and 100kg of ketamine in plastic packs in the vehicles.

The suspects, who were not identified, were brought together with the ambulances to the Provincial Police Region 5 in Chiang Mai province.

Rangsan Nantakawong, mayor of Bueng Yitho municipality in Thanyaburi district of Pathum Thani, said on Monday that the two ambulances and their staff were of a private company that the Pathum Thani health office hired for emergency services in the municipality. His municipal office supervised the payment of money from the health office to the contractor.

He said the municipal office dismissed the company from the services in Bueng Yitho and would ask rescue foundations to fill in until the provincial health office could find a new contractor.