Police in Nakhon Ratchasima on Monday arrested a woman and her daughter-in-law on drug charges and seized two kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine worth about five million baht in street value.
Umporn Johrasar, 46, and Tipgaysorn Suuktiem, 23, were arrested at a gas station in Pak Chong district after a sting operation that also netted three cell phones. The driver of the vehicle they were in was able to escape, police said.
Mrs Umporn told investigators that her husband and her son are in Ubon Ratchathani prison on drug convictions. Her three grandchildren, aged 2, 8 and 10 years old, will be left without a guardian if she and Ms Tipgaysorn are also convicted, she said.
Mrs Umporn said it was their first time as drug couriers and they needed the money to pay off debts.
Police said the 46-year-old confessed that she was contacted by a prisoner in Ubon Ratchathani province to deliver crystal meth to a client in Bangkok, receiving 200,000 baht each trip. The merchandise was sent to her home and a driver was assigned to them.
Police charged both suspects with possession and distribution of illegal drugs and seized their assets, including a bank account with 450,000 baht.
Both women were sent to Klang Dong police station while investigations continued.