Major Methamphetamine Smuggling Attempt Intercepted on Mekong River

Thai authorities have seized 2.37 million methamphetamine pills allegedly smuggled across the Mekong River from Laos. During a late-night operation in Muang district of Nong Khai province, suspects fled the scene, with one jumping into the Mekong River and others escaping into nearby farmland. Rear Adm. Narong Aemdee, commander of the Mekong Riverine Unit, reported that officials received a tip-off about a planned cross-border drug shipment near Ban Duea subdistrict. At around 00:45, officers observed a long-tail boat approaching the riverbank, which was met by two men, a motorcycle, and a white Mitsubishi truck. As suspects were carrying sacks from the boat to the truck, officers attempted to intervene. One suspect jumped into the Mekong River, another ran into agricultural land, and the boat operator escaped across the river. The operation resulted in the discovery of seven sacks containing 237 packages of methamphetamine pills, each stamped with the number "999" in blue ink. The seized drugs, truck, and motorcycle will be handed over to Ban Duea police station for further investigation. Deputy Nong Khai Governor Paitoon Mahachuenjai, Nong Khai Customs chief Wanna Phu-utsa, and various military and police officers were present at the news conference.