BANGKOK, Dec 14 — Three suspected members of drug syndicate were arrested in Pathum Thani with 500,000 methamphetamine pills and 50 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine or ‘ice’ with an estimated street value of Bt250 million.
Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubumrong, in charge of national drug suppression, told a news briefing of the arrest of three suspects identified as Chartchai Chanphukhew, Kongsak Woomae, both Chiang Rai natives, and Chen Xiangye, a woman with Chinese nationality.
Personnel from the Narcotics Control Board searched two housing estates in Pathum Thani’s Lam Luk Ka district and seized a half-million meth pills and 50 kilos of ice
The investigators said the three were members of a Chinese drug ring but its leading members are still at large and hiding along the border. Arrest warrants will be issued for them.
Mr Chalerm said that he would visit Chiang Rai next week to seek cooperation from local leaders including village heads to inform the authorities on drug smuggling.
Narcotics Board Sec-Gen Pongsapat Pongcharoen said that the drug gangs buy or rent houses in suburban Bangkok housing estates to store drugs before delivering to customers.
Pol Gen Pongsawat said the anti-narcotics agency will searching the housing estates where drug gangs are suspected to be sheltering.
