Police Seize 1.1 Million Meth Pills Hidden in Fuel Tanks
Police in Chiang Rai and Samut Prakan seized over 1.16 million methamphetamine tablets hidden in fuel tanks and arrested three suspects, including an alleged gang leader. The drugs were being transported via a private courier from the northern border to Bang Phli, with each courier paid 10,000 baht per delivery. Authorities are continuing the investigation to dismantle the wider network.
On October 17, 2026, Pol Lt Gen Phumin Phumphukmong, Commissioner of the Narcotics Suppression Bureau, along with senior officers Pol Maj Gen Pornsakon Surasit, Pol Maj Gen Thanarat Songkla, Pol Maj Gen Weraphan Ditsayut, Pol Maj Gen Adis Charoensawat, and others, coordinated a special operation called ‘Suyapari’ that resulted in the arrest of three men: 19‑year‑old Sumpan, 20‑year‑old Siwakorn, and 24‑year‑old Peeraphat. Police recovered 1,161,000 methamphetamine tablets concealed in plastic fuel tanks, a bronze‑coloured Toyota pickup, a black Hyundai van, and three mobile phones belonging to the suspects. The investigation began when Chiang Rai narcotics police intercepted a parcel containing 289,900 tablets sent via a private courier from Mae Chan district to Bang Phli in Samut Prakan. Tracing the shipment led to the apprehension of Sumpan and Siwakorn as they collected the parcel in Ratchatewa, Bang Phli. Further investigation arrested Peeraphat, alleged commander, at a dormitory in Klong Six, Klong Luang, Pathum Thani, and a subsequent search of his residence in Lam Lukka uncovered additional tablets hidden in fuel tanks. Officers in Chiang Rai also intercepted another shipment containing 211,100 tablets, bringing the total seized to over 1.16 million pills. Suspects confessed the drugs were obtained from the northern border, stored, and distributed to customers via private courier services to avoid detection, receiving a fee of 10,000 baht per delivery. Police said they are gathering evidence to identify and prosecute higher‑level figures and associates.
