Authorities in Chiang Mai have announced the arrest of an alleged drug smuggler and the seizure of 700 kilogrammes of methamphetamine destined for Taiwan. The operation, hailed as a major success in Thailand’s ongoing fight against narcotics, was revealed on Wednesday by acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai during a press conference.
The arrest took place early Monday morning, at approximately 1:12 a.m., when police officers on patrol stopped a bronze Toyota Tiger in Ban Pa Bong Ngam, tambon Muang Na, Chiang Dao district. Inside the cargo bed of the vehicle, authorities discovered 28 sacks, each weighing 25 kilograms. Upon inspection, the sacks were found to be filled with tightly wrapped packages of methamphetamine.
The Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) reported that the drug packages were branded “Durian.” This branding has now appeared six times in drug-related cases in the district, pointing to a recurring smuggling network.
According to ONCB secretary-general Pol Lt Gen Panurat Lakboon, the seized methamphetamine originated from Yangon, Myanmar. It had been transported into Thailand and was intended to be stored temporarily in Indonesia before being shipped onward to Taiwan. This complex trafficking route, he said, was a clear demonstration of the sophisticated networks used by international drug syndicates.
“This is confirmation of the threat posed by organised international drug smugglers,” Panurat stated, adding that the ONCB will continue to coordinate with regional partners to dismantle these networks.
Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai praised the coordinated operation, calling it a significant achievement in Thailand’s anti-drug campaign. He stressed that effective collaboration between local police, narcotics agencies, and border forces was essential in preventing further trafficking.
“The dealers must be prosecuted, and the addicts must be put into rehabilitation to return human resources to the country,” Mr. Phumtham said. He further emphasized that the government’s anti-drug policies were not a temporary effort but a long-term commitment to safeguarding Thai society.
The seizure underscores the continued challenges Thailand faces as a key transit country in the Golden Triangle drug trade. With methamphetamine production in neighboring Myanmar surging, Thai authorities remain on high alert for smuggling attempts across the border.
Officials confirmed that the arrested suspect, whose name has not yet been released, is currently in custody and facing charges related to drug possession and trafficking. Investigators are working to uncover his ties to broader smuggling syndicates, both in Thailand and abroad.
Mr. Phumtham concluded by reaffirming his government’s determination to combat drug trafficking at every level, noting that successful interdictions like this one demonstrate the impact of united efforts. “We will continue working on this,” he said. “It will not be a flash in the pan.”
