CHIANG RAI – Police in Chiang Rai announced a massive victory against illegal drug networks on June 15, 2026. Commander Pol. Maj. Gen. Manop Senatun led a major press conference. He stood alongside regional drug enforcement officers from Provincial Police Region 5 to share the details.
They revealed the impressive results of a strict crackdown that started in early June. Authorities successfully closed four separate drug cases right here in the province. These operations led to the arrest of seven suspects and the seizure of incredible amounts of illegal drugs. The total haul included 864,920 meth pills, 540 kilograms of crystal meth, and 533 kilograms of ketamine.
Key Takeaways
- Police seized over 860,000 meth pills, 540 kg of crystal meth, and 533 kg of ketamine.
- Seven suspects were arrested across four separate drug investigations in early June.
- A major chase in Thoeng District left one brave police officer injured after a suspect crashed.
- Authorities are actively searching for three fleeing suspects linked to the smuggling convoy.
One of the largest drug seizures happened in Thoeng District on June 6. Officers set up a routine police checkpoint on a winding mountain road. This specific road leads down from the famous Phu Chi Fa tourist spot.
Local authorities monitor this route closely to stop illegal transport. Soon, a pickup truck with Chiang Mai license plates approached the police roadblock. Two other vehicles followed closely behind it, forming a small, suspicious convoy.
Officers immediately signaled for the three vehicles to pull over for a standard inspection. Instead of stopping, the drivers acted very nervously and tried to turn their trucks around. This sudden attempt to flee quickly alerted the police that criminal activity was happening.
Officers rushed in and managed to stop the lead truck before it could escape. They quickly detained the 27-year-old driver, who is known to police by the alias Mr. Som.
High-Speed Pursuit and Officer Injured
While police held Mr. Som, the other two vehicles sped away in a desperate escape attempt. Police teams quickly split up to chase the fleeing trucks down the steep mountain road. The high-speed pursuit was incredibly dangerous and fast-paced for everyone involved.
During the tense chase, one of the target trucks aggressively sideswiped a police officer. Pol. Sen. Sgt. Maj. Sornnarin Yotha suffered injuries from the sudden, violent impact. The suspect’s truck also heavily damaged a police patrol vehicle. You can find more updates on regional safety efforts at the Chiang Rai Times.
Shortly after hitting the officer, the suspect’s vehicle lost control and crashed off the road. However, the desperate driver managed to escape into the rough forest terrain. When police searched the crashed truck, they found a massive hidden cargo.
Officers discovered 39 large sacks packed tightly in the back of the ruined pickup. These heavy sacks contained a staggering 540 kilograms of crystal meth and 523 kilograms of ketamine. This single discovery accounted for almost all of the month’s seized heavy narcotics.
Confessions and the Hunt for Suspects
Back at the local police station, Mr. Som confessed to his role in the drug smuggling operation. He admitted to driving the lead car to check for police checkpoints ahead of the main cargo. He told investigators that three cars were part of this highly organized convoy.
Som revealed that two men, alias Mr. Cha and Mr. Sa, were in the crashed drug truck. A third truck, bearing Lampang license plates, was driven by a man known as Mr. Chor. The group picked up the drugs near Phu Chi Fa and planned to deliver them to Phayao province.
Som claimed he did not know the exact final drop-off location in Phayao. Following his detailed confession, authorities quickly requested arrest warrants for the three fleeing suspects. Police are now working around the clock to track down Cha, Sa, and Chor.
Currently, all seven suspects from the four combined cases remain strictly in police custody. Authorities have confiscated all the seized drugs and vehicles to use as official evidence. Investigators plan to expand their search to take down the wider smuggling network operating near Chom Sawan and beyond.
Trending Chiang Rai News:
Unveiling the Cultural Threads Between Chiang Rai, Thailand, and China
Massive Fire Destroys Agricultural Building in Chiang Saen, Chiang Rai
