CHIANG MAI
About 460,000 speed pills were seized in Chiang Mai’s Mae Ai district after suspected drug smugglers fled from security forces during a nighttime patrol.
On Thursday night, patrol officers spotted three motorcycles traveling near Pa Lai village in tambon Mae Sao. When the riders saw authorities, they sped off into narrow paths.
Security forces pursued the suspects to Ban Kawila in the same tambon, where two motorcycles were found abandoned with two large sacks.
Lt Gen Kittpong Chuenchaichon, commander of the 3rd Army Corps and head of the Northern Border Narcotics Suppression and Interdiction Command, said the sacks contained around 460,000 methamphetamine pills.
Troops from the Pha Muang task force, the Narcotics Suppression Bureau’s Division 2, and Border Patrol Police Company 334 secured the area. The confiscated drugs and motorcycles were handed over to Mae Ai police for further investigation.
“Seal, Stop, Safe” Strategy
Lt Gen Kittpong said authorities are actively enforcing the “Seal, Stop, Safe” strategy to counter drug trafficking along the northern border. Operations include ground assessments and adapting tactics to keep up with evolving smuggling methods.
He noted officers are also checking chemical storage facilities to prevent precursor chemicals from leaking into illegal drug production.
“The drug trade along the border remains a significant problem, driving high-volume seizures this year,” he said.
Investigators are now working to identify networks connected to this latest bust.
