Two members of a drug gang were arrested at Don Mueang airport and 30kg of crystal methamphetamine worth about 30 million baht delivered to an undercover agent seized in Bangkok’s Suan Luang district.
Anirut Krathong, 27, and Chatchai Taemkaeng, 19, were charged with having illicit drugs in their possession with intent to sell, Pol Maj Gen Thanaphol Srisopha, commander of the Marine Police Division told a media briefing on Wednesday. The seized drugs were also displayed.
The duo were caught in a police sting on Tuesday when they arrived at the airport to receive money from a plainclothes police officer posing as a drug buyer.
They were caught shortly after marine police seized 30kg of crystal methamphetamine left at a power pole inside the Muang Thong 2 housing estate on Soi Pattanakorn 53 in Suan Luang area earlier that day.
An undercover agent had earlier contacted a drug trafficker in Chiang Rai in August last year. The dealer, who was not named, had said he could sell him 50kg of crystal meth, but not for immediate delivery.
The trafficker contacted the buyer on April 29 and said he would deliver 30kg of crystal meth in Bangkok. He and two accomplices, Mr Anirut and Mr Chatchai, arrived in Bangkok on April 30. The dealer then returned to Chiang Rai, leaving the other two in Bangkok.
On May 1, the trafficker contacted the buyer to pick up 30kg of crystal meth at Soi Pattanakarn 53 in Suan Luang district and to pay the money to Mr Anirut and Mr Chatchai, who were later caught at the airport, Pol Maj Gen Thanaphol said.
Police bring the two drug suspects to the media briefing on Wednesday, following the seizure of 30kg of crystal meth in Bangkok. (Photo by Sutthiwit Chayutworakan)