CHIANG MAI, May 21 (TNA) – Authorities in northern Thailand are bracing for a surge in drug smuggling, with estimates suggesting over 70 million methamphetamine pills could be flooding across the border.
This comes as law enforcement agencies have already intercepted nearly 130 million pills in the past six months.
Just this morning, a clash between a special forces unit and a drug trafficking group in Chiang Mai’s Wiang Haeng district resulted in the seizure of 1.2 million methamphetamine pills. The suspects managed to escape, leaving behind six backpacks filled with the drugs.
The Northern Border Command for Interdiction and Suppression of Precursor Chemicals has been actively combating drug trafficking in the 11 special control districts along the Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai borders.
Over the past six months, officials has engaged in 30 anti-drug operations, resulting in 25 casualties among the smuggling groups, the arrest of over 1,500 suspects, and the seizure of nearly 130 million methamphetamine pills, 2 tons of crystal meth also known as “ice”, and 249 kilograms of heroin.
The commander , Gen. Narit Thavornwong attributes the increased drug trafficking to the intensifying conflict in Myanmar. The weakened control by Myanmar authorities, particularly in the Shan State, a major drug production hub, has led to a surge in drug production.
Intelligence reports indicate that at least 70 million methamphetamine pills are poised to enter Thailand, with smugglers employing various tactics, including disguising themselves as tourists, riding big bikes and exploiting pregnant women and children to evade detection. -819 (TNA)
