CHIANG MAI – Authorities intercepted a major drug-smuggling convoy near the Arunothai border in Chiang Dao district after a violent early-morning gunfight. The operation ended with officers seizing 25 abandoned sacks packed with more than 5.7 million methamphetamine pills.
On March 20, troops from the Chaiyanuphap Task Force under Pha Muang Task Force acted on intelligence that a large shipment of drugs would be moved across the Thai-Myanmar border near Ban Arunothai, Moo 10, Mueang Na subdistrict, Chiang Dao, Chiang Mai. Because of that tip, soldiers from the 2nd Cavalry Company set up patrols to block possible crossing routes.
At about 4:50 a.m., the patrol reached the Pa Sak passage, around 2 kilometers to the right of the Nong Kalang 1 route. There, officers spotted a group of about 25 to 30 people walking in a line through the forested mountain area. When the soldiers identified themselves and moved in to search the group, the suspects opened fire with unknown weapons.
The exchange of gunfire lasted about five minutes. After that, the suspects used their knowledge of the terrain to escape into the forest. All officers involved made it through the clash safely, and reinforcements were then sent in to secure the area.
Later, Col. Amnat Wachirasaksopana, commander of the Chaiyanuphap Task Force, assigned Lt. Col. Dechathon Saiyut, deputy commander of the task force, to lead additional troops, a drone unit, and intelligence support teams to inspect the scene. During the search, they found 25 modified woven sacks, made to be carried like backpacks, scattered along the route.
Initial checks showed the sacks contained methamphetamine tablets marked with several different symbols. Eight sacks held 200,000 pills each with a blue 999 mark, for a total of 1.6 million pills. Three more sacks contained 230,000 pills each, also marked with a blue 999, adding up to 690,000 pills.
In addition, three sacks carried 240,000 pills each with the same blue 999 mark, totaling 720,000 pills. Another nine sacks held 250,000 pills each, bringing that subtotal to 2.25 million pills. Officers also found one sack stamped with the numbers 1 and 2, containing 200,000 pills, and one more sack marked with 1 and 2 containing 240,000 pills.
The total haul came to 5,700,000 meth pills. Authorities seized all of the drugs and coordinated with related agencies for the next legal steps.
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