A drug courier was killed and 50,000 methamphetamine pills seized in a clash between a ranger patrol of the Pha Muang Force and a group of couriers near the border with Myanmar in Chiang Rai's Mae Fa Luang district, according to Naewna Online.
The clash occurred at about 4.30am when the patrol led by Maj Sumit Saenduangdee, commander of Ranger Company 3109 of the Pha Muang Force, spotted between eight and 10 men, each carrying a weapon and a backpack, walking near Ban Mae Chan Luang in tambon Mae Salong of Mae Fa Luang district.
When told by the rangers to stop for a search, the men opened fire. A fierce gun battle ensued for about 20 minutes during which the couriers slipped back into the forest.
The rangers waited until dawn before clearing the area. They found the body of one drug courier. An AK47 rifle with 25 rounds of ammunution and a backpack containing 50,000 methemphetamine pills were found by his body.