CHIANG RAI — A Hmong hilltribe man was arrested on Wednesday with one million methamphetamine pills and 18kg of crystal meth worth more than 300 million baht on the street in his possession.
Police show the drugs found on trafficking suspect Niran Sakulrakkiat, right, after he was caught in a sting in Chiang Rai on Wednesday.(Post Today photo)
Niran Sakulrakkiat, 43, was caught at 4.30pm after he drove a white Mitsubishi pickup truck into Chiangrai Prachanukroh Hospital in Muang district and parked in the outdoor parking lot.
A police surveillance team set up in the area following a tip found the pickup matched the description of the suspect's vehicle and swooped on Mr Niran, ASTVManager online reported.
A search discovered bundles of yaba pills hidden in large garbage bags that were placed in black cloth bags in the back of the truck. Police also found 18kg of "ice" in bags of dried tea leaves.
The seized drugs have a street value of at least 300 million baht. The arrest came after police at Provincial Police Region 5 investigation division received a tip that a large quantity of drugs would be transported via Chiang Rai.
Mr Niran was later taken to his home in Phayao’s Chiang Kham district where police conducted a thorough search for more evidence. Police are also inspecting other suspected locations and tracking down more people involved with the drug smuggling group. They declined to elaborate on the source of the drugs and other details in the case pending an on-going investigation to arrest more suspects.
Pol Lt Gen Thanitsak Theerasawat, commissioner of Provincial Police Region 5, said police will hold a press conference at 9.30am Thursday to give additional details of the case.