Four couriers believed to be part of the network run by alleged drug lord and murder suspect Lao Ta Saenlee have been arrested and methamphetamine worth an estimated 357 million baht seized by Narcotics Suppression Bureau police.
Details of the weekend bust were announced at a media conference at NSB headquarters on Monday by Pol Gen Chalermkiat Srivorakhan, a deputy police chief.
He said the operation was spread over two days, Nov 26-27. The interception of the shipment followed reports of drugs being rush-delivered to clients throughout the country, including Bangkok and nearby provinces.
He said this haste was believed prompted by the arrest of Lao Ta Saenlee in Chiang Mai's Mae Ai district on Oct 11. The drug networks under him had scurried to move the drugs they held in stock for fear of being targeted in subsequent drug suppression operations.
Pol Maj Gen Sommai Kongwisaisuk, the acting NSB commissioner, identified the four suspects as Supis Rakangthong, 38, of Rayong, Rachawat Thanathornpaisal, 36, of Bangkok, Niphon Kaento, 31, of Lop Buri, and Kittisak Ueansupa, 48, of Phetchaburi.
On Nov 26, about 3pm, police stopped a trailer truck loaded with rice and driven by Mr Supis for a search at a drug checkpoint near Ban Huay Rai in Denchai district of Phrae province, he said.
They found 700,000 methamphetamine pills and 65kg of crystal methamphetamine, or "ice", hidden in the rice cargo. the drugs had an estimated street vlue of 357 million baht.
Mr Supis allegedly said he was hired to take the drugs from Phayao and deliver them to another courier in Ayutthaya province that same night.
The police subsequently arrested Mr Rachawat at kilometre marker 23 on the Asian Highway in Ayutthaya province. He was in a car and allegedly waiting to receive the drugs from Mr Supis.
On Nov 27, about 2pm, police arrested Mr Niphon and Mr Kittisak at a petrol station at kilometre marker No 4 on the Asian Highway in Ayutthaya province. They were allegedy waiting for Mr Rachawat to deliver the drugs.
All four were charged with possession of methamphetamine pills and crystal meth with intent to sell.
The police also seized from them a trailer truck, a Nissan Almera car and a Honda Accord.