Songkhla: Authorities have successfully dismantled a transnational ice trafficking network operating between Thailand and Malaysia, arresting two suspects and seizing 261 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, commonly known as ice, in Songkhla Province.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Mana Siripittayawat, Deputy Secretary-General of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB), announced the operation alongside Mr. Prin Mekhanan, Director of the ONCB, Col. Pirun Sira Eiamala of the Royal Thai Army, Captain Wisut Ngiwlaem of the Royal Thai Air Force, and Captain Nippat Thewa-aruk of the Royal Thai Navy. This collaboration involved multiple agencies, including the Narcotics Suppression Bureau, the Air Force Narcotics Suppression Center, and the Royal Malaysian Police’s Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID). The investigation revealed that the network had been using Songkhla Province as a storage location, with plans to smuggle the drugs through the three southern border provinces, specifically Narathiwat, before exporting them to a third country.
The investigation, which spanned approximately a month, involved extensive surveillance and intelligence gathering. Authorities discovered that members of the drug trafficking network had rented houses to store the illicit substances. Upon confirmation that the network was preparing to move the drugs, officers executed a raid that resulted in the arrest of two suspects and the seizure of the ice.
During interrogation, the suspects admitted their involvement in transporting drugs for delivery to another country. They disclosed that they had previously been hired to transport millions of methamphetamine pills to the southern border provinces and had received a payment of 120,000 baht for their services.
Mr. Mana highlighted that the success of the operation was due to the effective integration of intelligence from both domestic and international agencies. The exchange of information with the Royal Malaysian Police was crucial in expanding the investigation into the drug trafficking network operating in the southern border region. This collaboration aims to enhance the suppression and interception of drug smuggling activities, preventing Thailand from being used as a transit point for illicit substances intended for third countries.