Police Capture 483kg of ‘Ice’, Arrest Suspects

In a significant drug bust, authorities have confiscated 435 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine and arrested a couple at a residence in Pathum Thani.

The illegal substance, commonly referred to as “ice,” was reportedly intended for smuggling across southern borders to various countries, according to Pol Lt Gen Phanurat Lakbun, secretary-general of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board.

The operation occurred on Saturday at a rented property located in Khlong Luang district of Pathum Thani province.

The arrested pair allegedly claimed they were receiving one million baht per trip for trafficking the drugs to Songkhla province, having already completed three such missions.

Pol Lt Gen Phanurat explained that the crystal meth was produced by ethnic groups near the northern border and transported to Pathum Thani for temporary storage before being moved south by other traffickers.

He noted that smuggled “ice” was typically not intended for domestic use in Thailand due to high costs, with local users favoring methamphetamine pills instead.

The illicit crystal meth usually passes through Thailand and Malaysia en route to destinations like Australia, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.

Prin Mekanandha, ONCB’s director of narcotics law enforcement, indicated that the seized drugs originated from the notorious Golden Triangle region, where Myanmar, northern Thailand, and Laos converge.

The suspects, who lacked regular jobs, occasionally worked as vegetable delivery drivers at Talad Thai market in Pathum Thani, according to reports.

Investigators tracked the couple’s activities, noting their frequent use of pickup trucks between the Central Plain and Songkhla, leading to their eventual arrests.

The names of the suspects have not been released, but police indicated that further investigations are underway to uncover their drug network and potentially make additional arrests while seizing suspects’ assets.