A 23-year-old alleged member of a major drug-dealing gang was arrested yesterday in Nakhon Ratchasima's Khon Buri district with about 1,200 speed pills, or ya ba in his possession, police say.
Nonthapat Nindeesanoi, a resident of Nong Bunmak district, was nabbed in a sting operation when he was about to hand over 110 speed pills to police. A follow-up search at his house found another 1,123 pills.
Police said the suspect was an alleged member of the "Mun Tuk Med" (Fun With Every Pill) which allegedly used social media platforms to sell drugs and recruit small-time dealers across the country.
According to police, Mr Nonthapat said he was unemployed and lured into the illicit business by the gang via social media. He was asked to submit a photocopy of his ID card and the password to his Facebook account as part of application.
He said he had no idea what kind of work he was being offered until he turned up to receive a package for delivery. He said he could not bow out because they threatened to harm him.
The suspect claimed the gang also forwarded to him video clips of people being physically assaulted, police said.
Mr Nonthapat was charged with having drugs in his possession with the intent to distribute.
The "Mun Tuk Med" drug gang became widely known in late August when narcotics police arrested a man suspected to be involved in money-laundering activities for the drug ring and seized his assets worth over 100 million baht.
It was alleged the gang operated in the same way as a direct-sales business and used violence when collecting debts.
Meanwhile, Pattaya police yesterday seized 48 grammes of crystal meth and arrested a 42-year-old man for possession with the intent to sell.
Udon Khiendee was detained at his house in Bang Lamung district when police looked into a tip-off that a motorcycle shop was operating as a drug-dealing front.