Three Municipal Workers Test Positive for Meth in Si Sa Ket Drug Raid
A surprise drug test at a municipal public works office in Si Sa Ket caught three employees using methamphetamine, and one civil servant was also found with an illegal homemade gun and ammunition. The arrested official faces narcotics and firearms charges, while two contract workers agreed to enter rehabilitation. The raid was triggered by a public tip to the ONCB hotline 1386.
In a surprise urine-testing operation targeting civil servants and contract workers at a municipal public works department in Si Sa Ket, three employees tested positive for methamphetamine and one illegal homemade gun with three rounds of ammunition was seized. The parent agency intends to pursue disciplinary proceedings.
On November 12, 2026, the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) under the Ministry of Justice advanced its "War on Drugs" plan through the 33rd "Surgical Strike" operation, following the policy of ONCB Secretary-General Pol. Lt. Gen. Suriya Singkhamol, who aims to tackle the drug problem seriously and tangibly. The strategy emphasizes using public tip-offs as a key mechanism to expand investigations, screening individuals with drug-related behavior without discrimination — especially state officials who must perform duties with honesty and integrity — while strictly enforcing the law and channeling users into treatment.
The action stemmed from a complaint received on November 7, 2026, via the ONCB hotline 1386, alleging that officials at a municipality in Mueang District, Si Sa Ket, were involved with drugs. The information was verified under the Surgical Strike guidelines. On November 10, Manop Saengsot, Director of ONCB Region 3, assigned Suman Buates, Director of Operations, along with senior investigator Sarawut Phromsaeng and the 238 Phitsanulok Naresuan task force, to conduct a fact-finding mission.
The team met with the mayor and municipal executives to brief them on the complaint and the procedure if state officials tested positive for drugs, receiving full cooperation. They then tested 17 civil servants and contract workers in the public works department; three tested positive for illegal substances. The outcomes are as follows:
1. One senior civil servant holding the position of skilled tradesman: officers expanded the search to his vehicle, discovering a homemade Thai firearm with three rounds of ammunition. He was arrested and charged with unauthorized use of a Category 1 narcotic (methamphetamine) and illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition. 2. Two contract service workers: after verification and questioning, both admitted to drug use and voluntarily agreed to treatment. Officers transferred them to Si Sa Ket Hospital to enter the rehabilitation process.
The parent agency will consider disciplinary action against the civil servant under relevant regulations, while the two contract workers will be handled according to employment terms and conditions.
This operation is part of the ONCB Secretary-General's comprehensive drug war policy, combining suppression of offenders, scrutiny of state officials involved with drugs, and referral of users to treatment. Authorities affirm there is no leniency or selective enforcement, and they will pursue every lead from the public to build a society sustainably free from drugs. The ONCB invites the public to participate in solving the drug problem; tips can be reported to the ONCB hotline 1386, the center for all drug-related issues.
