Police Seize 500kg of ‘Ice’ Drug Worth 300 Million Baht
Highway police in Nakhon Ratchasima have seized a massive shipment of crystal methamphetamine, commonly known as “ice,” weighing approximately 500 kilograms and valued at around 300 million baht. The drugs were intercepted during a smuggling attempt on Motorway 6 late on Sunday night, marking one of the largest drug seizures in the region this year.
The operation was carried out by officers from the third highway police station of Subdivision 3 under the Highway Police Division. Senior officers announced the successful interception on Monday, revealing that the illegal drugs were concealed in 12 large sacks inside a grey four-door pickup truck.
According to Pol Lt Col Parin Khotmanee, chief of the station, the operation followed a tip-off from a reliable informant. Police were warned that drug traffickers were planning to transport a large quantity of crystal meth through Nakhon Ratchasima province using a pickup truck. Acting on the intelligence, highway police quickly mobilised and set up surveillance along Motorway 6, a key transport route often exploited by smugglers.
Officers deployed to strategic locations along the motorway and waited for the suspect vehicle to appear. Late at night, police spotted a grey four-door pickup truck matching the description provided by the informant. When officers signalled for the driver to stop, the situation escalated rapidly.
Pol Lt Col Parin said the driver appeared startled upon seeing the police. Instead of complying with the order to stop, the suspect pulled the vehicle over to the roadside and fled on foot into the darkness, managing to evade immediate arrest. Officers secured the vehicle and conducted a thorough search, leading to the discovery of the 12 sacks containing crystal meth.
In addition to the drugs, police also found two suspicious license plates inside the vehicle, raising concerns that the traffickers may have planned to swap plates to avoid detection. Investigators believe the drugs were intended for distribution further inland or possibly for onward trafficking to other regions.
The seized crystal meth has an estimated street value of about 300 million baht, underscoring the scale of the operation and the level of organisation behind the smuggling attempt. Authorities suspect the shipment may be linked to a larger drug trafficking network operating across provincial or national borders.
Police have launched a manhunt for the escaped driver and are reviewing CCTV footage from Motorway 6 and nearby areas to trace his movements. Investigators are also examining the pickup truck for forensic evidence that could lead to the identification of those involved, including fingerprints and DNA.
The Highway Police Division reiterated its commitment to cracking down on drug trafficking networks and warned smugglers that major transport routes are under constant surveillance. Authorities also urged the public to report suspicious activity, noting that community cooperation plays a crucial role in combating the drug trade.
This seizure highlights ongoing efforts by Thai law enforcement to disrupt the flow of narcotics and protect communities from the widespread harm caused by illegal drugs.
