Drug Traffickers Caught After Highway Crash in Uthai Thani
Police arrested two drug traffickers after their sedan crashed during a chase in Uthai Thani on September 14, recovering 2.6 million methamphetamine pills from the trunk. Both men were caught after fleeing into nearby forest, with one appre
Police from Phayuhakiri checkpoint tracked a red Nakhon Ratchasima-registered sedan suspected of drug trafficking after it left Chiang Rai. While in pursuit on September 14, the vehicle crashed at a junction near Rai Oi Pattana village in Sai Yok district, Uthai Thani province. The two occupants abandoned the car and fled into nearby forest.
Officers who inspected the vehicle found 12 sacks of methamphetamine pills totalling 2.6 million tablets in the trunk. The driver and passenger had escaped into the forest, prompting police and local officials to launch a manhunt with a cordon around the area.
At 4 a.m., the first suspect was arrested at Thung Mon school after he contacted his wife to arrange taxi pickup, but police intercepted him. He is a resident of Bang Rak subdistrict, Bang Bua Thong district, Nonthaburi province. At 6 a.m., the second suspect was caught on foot near Lad Yao district, Nakhon Sawan, disguised as a garbage collector with a black bag. He is from Nong Khaem subdistrict, Nong Khaem district, Bangkok.
The operation recovered 2.6 million methamphetamine pills and the red sedan. Both suspects were handed over to Phayuhakiri police station for legal proceedings.
According to Phayuhakiri checkpoint commander Colonel Krairikch Ketjit, the suspects had smuggled the methamphetamine from Chiang Rai using secondary routes through several provinces to avoid detection before reaching Uthai Thani. The vehicle crashed when it reached the Thung Mon area, forcing the suspects to abandon it and flee. Officers tracked them down and made the arrests.
