Four killed, 340kg ketamine seized in Chiang Rai

Four killed, 340kg ketamine seized in Chiang Rai

340kg ketamine seized in Chiang Rai. (Photo by Chinnapat Chaimol)
340kg ketamine seized in Chiang Rai. (Photo by Chinnapat Chaimol)

CHIANG RAI: Four drug suspects were killed and about 340 kilogrammes of ketamine seized following a clash between a group of about 30 drug couriers and a Thai government force near the border with Myanmar in Mae Sai district late on Saturday night, according to a local media report.

Acting on information that a large quantity of drugs would be delivered across the border, soldiers from a drug suppression unit of the Pha Muang Force were deployed on the Thai side of the Ruak stream bordering Thailand and Myanmar near Ban Pa Daeng in tambon Ko Chang of Mae Sai district.

At about 9.15pm, they spotted a group of about 30 men, each carrying a bag or backpack, wading across the shallow Ruak stream from Ban Huay Din Dam in Myanmar's Tachilek province.

When the men reached the Thai side of the stream, soldiers signalled them to stop for a search. The men then reportedly opened fire at the Thai soldiers. After an exchange of fire that lasted for about 10 minutes, the couriers fled back across the border in the dark.

On Sunday morning, another government force led by Maj Gen Wichit Wongsang, commander of the Pha Muang Force, and police from tambon Ko Chang examined the scene of the clash.

In a corn plantation about 100 metres from the border, they found the bodies of four men and 17 bags and backpacks left behind by the couriers.

The bags and backpacks contained altogether about 340kg of ketamine.

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