BANGKOK — Thai authorities have intercepted nearly 2.4 tons of crystal methamphetamine with an estimated international street value exceeding $91 million USD during a maritime smuggling operation in the Gulf of Thailand.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra announced the successful operation during a press conference at the Ministry of Justice on Monday, emphasizing the government’s serious commitment to combating drug trafficking.
The joint operation involved the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), Royal Thai Navy, and Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB). DSI Director-General Police Colonel Yutthana Praedam revealed that naval intelligence had tipped off the DSI about suspicious activities involving a 90-ton gross recreational vessel.
According to investigators, the smuggling network transported the drugs from the Prasae River mouth in Klaeng District, Rayong Province, sailing south through the Gulf of Thailand toward Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, where a larger vessel was waiting to transfer the narcotics for export to a third country.
The drugs were cleverly disguised as bags of corn flour. DSI teams tracked the operation and determined the exact timing of the transfer, which occurred on June 21 at approximately 11:00 p.m.
Four Royal Thai Navy surveillance vessels monitored the suspected boat in the Gulf of Thailand, approximately 5 nautical miles from shore near the Prasae River mouth. When the target vessel was spotted, authorities moved in and arrested eight Thai nationals aboard the boat, seizing 2,399 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine.
Simultaneously, another team inspected the suspected “Luk Yod” pier and discovered a six-wheeled truck with an enclosed cargo area used for drug transportation, along with a four-door pickup truck believed to be connected to the criminal operation. The vehicles have been transferred to DSI for further investigation.
Authorities have obtained leads suggesting foreign nationals are involved in the network, though investigations are ongoing.
The seized methamphetamine has an estimated domestic value of approximately 239 million baht ($7.25 million), while its international market value exceeds 3 billion baht ($91 million).
Prime Minister Paetongtarn noted that DSI has preliminary information about the drug owners but will hold another press conference once the investigation is complete. She praised the increasing success in intercepting large-scale drug shipments, attributing it to the patience and dedication of law enforcement agencies and effective inter-agency coordination.
“This criminal network was attempting to smuggle drugs through our country for sale in another nation, which would have increased the street price and caused harm to people worldwide,” the Prime Minister stated. “Our officers’ success in stopping this smuggling operation represents a tremendous service in protecting our nation. I must commend and thank all sectors involved once again.”
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