Drug Officers Seize 5.2 Million Pills In Border Bust
Border patrol officers in Chiang Mai seized 5.2 million methamphetamine pills from a fleeing pickup truck in Mae Taeng District, arresting one suspect hired to guide the drugs past checkpoints.
Chiang Mai — Border patrol officers maintained pressure on drug trafficking networks, intercepting a fleeing pickup truck and seizing 5.2 million pills while arresting one suspect involved in the operation.
On July 5, 2025, border patrol units executed government policy to combat drug trafficking in the region. Intelligence from border patrol unit 335 and military forces indicated that a criminal gang would smuggle drugs through the Mae Taeng District area, using routes from Baan Muang Kong in Chiang Dao District before moving inland.
Lieutenant Colonel Wirawat Tayung, commander of border patrol unit 335, was briefed that the trafficking group would stash drugs in Mae Taeng District awaiting pickup by financiers. Given the large quantity involved, a comprehensive enforcement operation was authorized. Officers from the drug suppression unit began surveillance on June 2, 2025, and by 4:30 a.m. on July 4, they spotted the suspected black four-door pickup truck in Pong Saeng Thong village, Mae Taeng District.
When officers attempted to stop the vehicle, the driver escaped, abandoning the truck. The operation resulted in one arrest, and the vehicle search uncovered 23 sacks containing methamphetamine pills: sacks 1-21 each containing approximately 226,000 pills stamped with "999"; sack 22 with 254,000 pills; and sack 23 with 200,000 pills stamped "Y-1". Total seizure reached approximately 5.2 million pills.
Under questioning, the suspect admitted he was hired as a guide to check checkpoints from Wiang Haeng and escort the drugs into Mae Taeng District, awaiting transfer to another recipient. He was offered 5,000 baht compensation. The suspect and evidence are being held at the Regional Border Patrol Command for further investigation and to track other gang members involved.
