Police Use Drone to Trap Drug Runners, Seize 2.8 Million Pills
Police used a drone to track drug runners fleeing into the forest near Chiang Saen, leading to the seizure of 2.8 million methamphetamine pills and the arrest of two suspects on September 3.
On September 3, Deputy Superintendent Kittiphumi Kanchinaen of Chiang Saen Police Station, working with narcotics officer Samreung Sitthivorapanya, intercepted approximately 2.8 million methamphetamine pills and arrested two men aged 30 and 38.
The operation was led by Senior Inspector Udom Phuanuan, who established a checkpoint in front of Phra That Chom Kitti Temple. Officers spotted a suspicious grey Toyota Innova with a Chiang Mai licence plate suspected of carrying drugs. When ordered to stop for inspection, the driver attempted to flee, abandoned the vehicle, and ran into the forest. Officers coordinated with Deputy Superintendent Kritikorn Kanchinaen from Ko Chang Police, who deployed a drone to search from the air. The drone located the suspects' movements and tracked them until they were apprehended.
A search of the Toyota Innova recovered 15 bags of methamphetamine containing approximately 2.8 million pills hidden in the vehicle's rear compartment. Police also intercepted a white Toyota Yaris that was acting as a lead vehicle and attempting to escape; Mae Chan Police pursued and stopped it. Both vehicles were seized as evidence, and the suspects were handed over to investigators for prosecution.
The operation involved coordinated efforts between Chiang Saen Police and Region 5 narcotics investigators, under the command of Regional Police Commander Kritthapon Yisak, Chiang Rai Provincial Police Commander Manop Senakul, and other senior officers.
