Hospital Staff Among 7 Arrested in Sukhothai Drug Bust
A joint narcotics operation in Sukhothai province arrested seven people, including three state hospital employees, and seized 1,359 methamphetamine pills. The bust began with an off-duty hospital worker who led investigators to a colleague acting as a major dealer, triggering a chain of arrests that included a fleeing courier and two subordinates. A female nurse assistant who tested positive for drugs has been ordered into rehabilitation and faces dismissal from civil service.
The operation began in the early hours of November 2–3, 2026, when ONCB Region 6 received a tip via hotline 1386 and deployed to Mueang District, Sukhothai. Investigators found an off-duty hospital employee using drugs. The suspect confessed, agreed to rehabilitation, and provided information leading to a major dealer — another staff member at the same hospital.
ONCB Region 6 then coordinated with Sukhothai Provincial Court, Provincial Police, the Interior Ministry, the Region 6 Health Office, and the Narcotics Suppression Bureau to arrest a hospital driver, seizing 230 pills. With hospital executives' cooperation, they searched the suspect's quarters and found 22 more pills, totaling 252.
Officers pursued the supply chain, cornering a drug courier who fled during arrest, discarding 957 pills and a mobile phone. A complaint was filed with Sri Samrong Police Station to obtain an arrest warrant. During the cordon, two subordinates of the fleeing suspect were also caught with 150 pills.
Further screening of hospital staff revealed one female nurse assistant tested positive for drugs. The hospital director ordered her into a three-month rehabilitation program immediately and is preparing to dismiss her from civil service. During the operation, two acquaintances of the nurse assistant were also arrested for driving under the influence of drugs.
