Bangkok Drug Sweep Nets 23 Million Pills, 2 Tons Ice
Bangkok police concluded a 90-day drug crackdown by seizing 23.5 million methamphetamine pills and 2 tons of crystal meth, with 3,644 arrests across the city's at-risk communities.
At 8:00 AM on September 25, Bangkok Governor Chatchcai Sittiphan, acting as director of the Bangkok Drug Prevention and Suppression Center, along with Deputy Metropolitan Police Commander Theerdet Tharmsuthir, Drug Suppression Police Unit 1 Commander Nopsin Mitraphakdi, and Bangkok Drug Prevention and Suppression Office Director Preun Mekhananth, entered Tung Khru Temple community in Tung Khru district following intelligence on drug dealers and users.
The Safe BKK 90-day operation announced results: 3,644 drug-related arrests, 23.5 million methamphetamine tablets seized, 2 tons of crystal methamphetamine, and 253 million baht in asset seizures. During today's community sweep in rain, officers inspected two suspect residences and arrested seven people involved in drug trafficking, recovering both methamphetamine and crystal methamphetamine for legal proceedings.
Governor Chatchcai stated that Bangkok is coordinating with the Office of the Narcotics Control Board, the Metropolitan Police Bureau, and the Drug Suppression Police to execute the Safe BKK 90-day integrated drug prevention project running from February to September. Drug abuse is a major problem eroding communities and youth; systematic cooperation is essential across Bangkok's approximately 2,000 communities.
Intelligence screening identified roughly 110 at-risk communities. Officers conducted searches to locate small-scale dealers and users for comprehensive rehabilitation and social reintegration, achieving concrete results in apprehending dealers and users while eliminating supply networks.
Preun summarized the 90-day operation: over 23 million methamphetamine tablets and approximately 2,000 kilograms (2 tons) of crystal methamphetamine were seized, and assets worth over 250 million baht belonging to major and minor trafficking networks were forfeited. He confirmed the operation will continue beyond 90 days to reassure the public.
Today's sweep targeted seven small-scale dealers with search warrants, all of whom were apprehended. Approximately 30-40 suspected users were screened for rehabilitation, with modest quantities of methamphetamine and crystal methamphetamine recovered. Suspects underwent drug testing before entering treatment programs.
Deputy Commander Theerdet noted that despite numerous prior arrests of drug dealers, the problem persists. Police must continue inspecting communities flagged as high-risk and subject to public complaints about drug activity. Operating obstacles include narrow alleys inaccessible to vehicles and routes connecting to waterways.
