Police Officer Arrested in Drug Trafficking Gang Bust; Methamphetamine Pills Found During Body Search
Police Lieutenant Phakaphum from Phayao Province was arrested during a raid on May 6 after 15 methamphetamine pills were found on him, as part of a nationwide operation targeting state officials involved in drug trafficking.
On May 7, 2569, Police General Suriya Singhakamol, Secretary-General of the Department of Special Investigation, announced the success of "Cutting Out the Rotten Flesh Operation 6," a coordinated effort to address state officials involved in drug trafficking under the government's national-priority drug control policy. The operation began with a complaint filed through the hotline 1386 alleging that a police officer from Dok Kham Tai Police Station in Phayao Province was involved in drug use and distribution. Investigation revealed the officer had been under suspicion since 2567. On May 6, officials from the Department of Special Investigation's Region 5 office, working with investigators from Dok Kham Tai Police Station, conducted a raid on a rural hut in Ban Tham Subdistrict, Dok Kham Tai District. There they found Police Lieutenant Phakaphum with two other men. Urinalysis of all three tested positive for drugs. During a body search of Police Lieutenant Phakaphum, 15 methamphetamine pills were found hidden on his person, while one of his associates had 8 pills. All three were arrested and prosecuted immediately. The Department of Special Investigation's Secretary-General emphasized that this operation sends a clear warning to all state officials that no protection or leniency will be given to wrongdoers. Officials involved in drug trafficking severely undermine public confidence and the justice system. The department will expand the operation to dismantle all related networks and enforce maximum disciplinary and legal measures to maintain transparency standards and create a sustainable drug-free Thai society in accordance with the Ministry of Justice's objectives.
