Bangkok: Police reveal that Vietnam is the mastermind behind the tamarind-stained drug trafficking ring that hides crystal meth. The Bangkok Metropolitan Police Commissioner stated that a Vietnamese gang is using Thailand as a transit point to smuggle crystal meth into Tokyo, cutting off other routes and evading police. Thai nationals in Japan are reportedly involved in the operation. Authorities are urgently expanding the investigation to determine the source of the crystal meth.
According to Thai News Agency, Police Lieutenant General Siam Boonsom, Commander of the Bangkok Metropolitan Police, announced the results of an expanded investigation into a network smuggling crystal methamphetamine hidden in tamarind jars for shipment to Japan. Following questioning of Mr. Sompong, 50, the arrested suspect, it was revealed that the incident stemmed from a complaint filed on July 13th by a victim, a courier, who handed over a jar of tamarind to police after discovering suspicious objects hidden inside and noticing its unusually heavy weight. Upon examination, the contents of the jar were confirmed to be crystal methamphetamine, weighing over 2 kilograms, concealed in six foil-wrapped, spherical blocks. The investigation revealed similarities to the case of Ms. Meena, a flight attendant detained by Australian authorities.
In-depth investigations revealed that this was a Vietnamese drug trafficking gang, with a mastermind based in Hanoi giving orders via fake Facebook accounts, hiring riders to pick up packages from the homes of Vietnamese nationals in Thailand, and then deliver them to Thai individuals who act as couriers.
The investigation revealed that the bank account used to transfer wages and expenses belonged to Mr. Sompong. Vietnamese nationals were withdrawing cash in amounts of 20,000-50,000 baht at a time. After withdrawing the money, they would immediately return to Vietnam to avoid arrest, leading police to believe that more than four people are involved. Currently, police have issued arrest warrants for four suspects: one Thai national, Mr. Sompong, and three Vietnamese nationals who were responsible for withdrawing the money, using the fake Facebook accounts, and giving orders. However, Mr. Sompong's girlfriend is not among the four warrants issued, but it is believed she may have been involved. Police are expanding the investigation to include Mr. Sompong as well, who initially denies the charges.
Of the three Vietnamese suspects for whom arrest warrants have been issued, one has already left the country. The Immigration Bureau is closely monitoring the movements of the remaining suspects. The suspects' modus operandi involves attempting to evade detection by using delivery riders and constantly changing strategies, such as secretly concealing the drugs in food products or seasonings by cutting open and repackaging the packaging. They are paid 450 baht per kilogram for transportation, a typical rate. The destination is Tokyo, Japan, where Thai individuals will receive the goods and distribute them further. The Japanese Embassy has been contacted to assist in the investigation. Authorities are also expanding the investigation to determine the source of the methamphetamine and trace their financial transactions, believing they may be involved in other illegal activities besides drug trafficking.