Last Updated on October 17, 2026 by Jeff Tomas
CHIANG RAI– In a major crackdown on illegal narcotics, Myanmar’s Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control (CCDAC) raided a suspected drug production facility in Tachileik. The bustling border town, which sits directly across from Mae Sai in Thailand’s Chiang Rai province, has long been a hotspot for cross-border smuggling. Acting on a tip, counter-narcotics police targeted a house in the downtown area.
Upon entering the residence, officers discovered a significant illicit operation and arrested two suspects on the scene. Police took 31-year-old Sai Ngin and 29-year-old Ma Nan San Fong into custody. Investigators are now piecing together how this local facility connects to larger regional syndicates.
Key Takeaways
- Authorities raided an active drug production lab in Tachileik, right on the Thailand-Myanmar border.
- Police seized nearly 8 billion kyat worth of liquid ketamine, along with meth pills and chemicals.
- Two suspects are in custody as police hunt for the wider smuggling network backing the operation.
Inside the Tachileik Drug Lab
The raid uncovered a staggering amount of narcotics and production materials hidden inside the home. Police seized 26.15 liters of liquid ketamine, which authorities value at an estimated 7.845 billion Myanmar kyat. They also found 30 grams of ketamine powder worth 270,000 kyat and 200 methamphetamine pills, commonly known as Yaba, valued at 80,000 kyat.
Interestingly, the haul included nine liters of liquid roll-on deodorant, worth about 45,000 kyat. Drug traffickers often use everyday chemical products to mask the strong chemical odors associated with illicit narcotics production. Authorities also confiscated four mobile phones, which will likely provide vital digital evidence.
Tracking the Golden Triangle Network
The CCDAC has officially filed charges against both suspects under Myanmar’s strictly enforced Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law. The two individuals were transferred to the main Tachileik Police Station for processing and further interrogation. Law enforcement officials believe this local lab is just one piece of a much larger puzzle.
Police are currently analyzing the confiscated mobile phones to trace the communication networks of the accused. The primary goal is to uncover the financial backers and smuggling rings pulling the strings behind the scenes. This raid highlights the ongoing challenges both Myanmar and Thai border forces face in their fight against regional drug cartels.
