Highway police seized 214 bars of compressed marijuana and arrested a suspect at a checkpoint in Khon Kaen's Phon district on Sunday morning.
The arrest occurred at about 10am when a Bangkok-registered Honda Jazz refused to stop for a search at the checkpoint between kilometre markers 252 and 253 on Mitrapap highway in tambon Sok Phra of Phon district and sped away.
Police gave chase and overtook the vehicle about 10km from the checkpoint. But the driver managed to flee and escape arrest, leaving behind his companion, identified as Sonthaya Sithonha, 28, a native of Sakon Nakhon province.
Six bags containing 214 bars of compressed marijuana with a street value of about 4.2 million baht were recovered from inside the car.
Mr Sonthaya said he was asked by Sitha Khamsawat, the driver, to accompany him on a trip to Chon Buri province, not knowing that there was marijuana in the car.
The police did not believe him. Mr Sonthaya was charged with having Type 5 drugs in his possession with intent to sell.