Chiang Rai Rangers Capture Six Drug Runners

Col Watcharapong Kaewjaeng, commander of Pha Muang’s Special Force 31, said he ordered rangers to keep a close watch on Ban Mae Khao Tom in tambon Thasud

CHIANG RAI – Paramilitary Rangers on Thursday morning arrested six men and seized 180,000 methamphetamine pills in Muang district, Chiang Rai province.

Col Watcharapong Kaewjaeng, commander of Pha Muang’s Special Force 31, said he ordered rangers to keep a close watch on Ban Mae Khao Tom in tambon Thasud after receiving a tip that a large haul of illegal drugs would be smuggled from Myanmar to Thailand through Chiang Rai.

Early Thursday morning rangers spotted six suspicious men carrying bags along the rural road and stopped them for a search, he said. The rangers found 180,000 yaba pills in the bags. They also seized one shotgun and four mobile phones.

Arrested were Lorpha Arsaw, 31, Jesada Chermue, 24, Noppol Armor, 24, Yupan Saennao, 52, Arsoh Piaka, 39, and Aryae Piasae, 39. All are residents of Chiang Rai.

The suspects told rangers that they received the illegal drugs from a gang overseen by drug kingpin Lt Col Yise in the border village of Jalor in Mae Fah Luang district. They said they were delivering them to a client in Ban Mae Khao Tom.

The suspects were taken to Muang Chiang Rai police station for further questioning.