BANGKOK, June 13 – Two alleged drug dealers were arrested in the capital with over 800,000 methamphetamine pills and 1.5 kg of crystal meth ‘ice’ with an estimated street value of Bt200 million (more than US$6.6 million), according to city police.
Karan sae-Heng, 26, and Sitthi Sitthiwattana, 26, were captured by officers from the Metropolitan Police Division, Pol Maj-Gen Kamronwit Thoopkrachang, acting metropolitan police chief, told a news briefing today.
Apart from the drugs, police also seized a .22 calibre pistol, with 62 bullets, two bullet-proof vests and two Bangkok-registered automobiles.
Gen Kamronwit explained that the arrest came as a result late last year of the capture of a drug syndicate.
Following the 2011 arrest, police learned that Mr Karan was a suspected major dealer related to a drug ring led by a Taiwanese man identified as Chen. Police have had him under surveillance since then.
Police yesterday followed Mr Karan from Bang Bua Thong to a Nonthaburi department store in suburban Bangkok. Searching the suspect’s vehicle, the authorities found 6,000 hidden speed pills.
After being detained, the accused confessed that more meth pills were at a house in Bang Khun Thian district, in outer Bangkok, and that Mr Sitthi had the key. Mr Karan called his accomplice to come unlock the door, and when Mr Sitthi arrived he was detained.
Searching the house, police found another 800,000 meth pills, crystal meth, a pistol, ammunition and bullet-proof vests there.
The pair was initially charged with possessing illicit drugs for sale.
