KAMPHAENG PHET – A routine traffic chase unexpectedly led highway police in Kamphaeng Phet to one of the largest drug seizures of the year. Traffic police officers quickly intercepted a speeding pickup truck after it caused a severe accident at a major intersection.
The fleeing driver had previously crashed into a resident riding a sidecar motorcycle in Kamphaeng Phet province. Law enforcement officers immediately pursued the vehicle for miles before successfully blocking it on the busy highway.
Key Takeaways
- Massive Narcotics Seizure: Police officers discovered 40 large sacks containing 8 million methamphetamine pills hidden inside the vehicle.
- Clever Concealment Method: The suspect tried to hide the massive shipment of illegal narcotics beneath two tons of fresh cucumbers.
- Foreign Suspect Arrested: Authorities detained a 25-year-old Myanmar national who was hired to drive the vehicle from northern Thailand.
The incident began at the Nakhon Chum intersection on Phahonyothin Road in Mueang Kamphaeng Phet district. A white pickup truck with Chiang Mai plates ran a red light and slammed into a motorcycle. The collision critically injured 61-year-old resident Weerapong Oonsawat, who was rushed to a nearby medical facility.
Instead of stopping to help the victim, the driver stepped on the gas and fled the scene. A dashboard camera from a nearby vehicle captured the entire shocking crash, providing police with crucial evidence. Klong Khlung police station officers received an urgent radio alert to look out for the fleeing truck.
Millions of Meth Pills Uncovered
Police set up roadblocks along the highway to stop the suspect from escaping into central Thailand. Officers finally intercepted the damaged truck about 45 kilometers away from the original accident scene. They arrested the driver near a local auto shop along the southbound lanes heading toward Bangkok.
The driver was identified as Sai Lert, a 25-year-old Myanmar national who appeared highly nervous. Police inspected the back of the modified pickup truck, which was heavily covered by a large canvas tarp. At first glance, the vehicle only seemed to be transporting a heavy cargo of fresh vegetables.
Officers uncovered more than two tons of cucumbers stacked neatly inside the large iron cargo cage. However, their thorough search quickly revealed something far more sinister hidden underneath the agricultural produce. The officers discovered 40 mysterious green sacks buried deeply at the bottom of the truck bed.
Ongoing Police Investigation
Each sack contained exactly 200,000 methamphetamine pills, locally known across Southeast Asia as yaba tablets. The entire shipment totaled 8 million pills, representing a massive street value in the illegal drug market. Police immediately seized the vehicle and escorted the driver to the station for intense questioning.
During the initial police interrogation, the young driver admitted he was paid to transport the cargo. He claimed he received the vehicle in northern Thailand and was instructed to drive it down south. However, the unexpected traffic accident panicked him, causing him to flee right into the police trap.
According to the official report by MGR Online, investigators are now expanding their search for the major drug network. Authorities plan to trace the financial trail of the drug cartel to arrest the ringleaders behind this shipment. The suspect faces multiple criminal charges, including reckless driving causing injury, hit-and-run, and possession of illegal narcotics.
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