UDON THANI: Highway police arrested two women and seized 300 kilogrammes of compressed marijuana in their possession at a police checkpoint in Nong Khai province on Monday following a chase.
Pol Col Apichart Phochan, chief of the Udon Thani-based 4th Highway Police Headquarters, said in a press briefing the actions were taken after a tip-off that an amount of marijuana would be smuggled from Bung Khla district of Bung Kan province. It would be delivered along the Phang Khon-Sawang Daen Din-Nong Han-Kumphawapi route to Mittraphap highway en route for Khon Kaen.
A checkpoint was set up on Mittraphap highway in Khon Kaen's Nam Phong district for interception.
At about half past midnight, a Mitsubishi Pajero was spotted heading in the direction. Before reaching the spot, the driver suddenly made a U-turn and took the route to Udon Thani, ignoring a police order made through a loud speaker for it to stop. The police gave chase.
The vehicle sped past Udon Thani town. While nearing the Nong Song Hong checkpoint in Nong Khai, the police forced it to a halt with gun shots that flattened three of its tyres.
Two women in the car — Suthida Kuapol, 33, and Aporn Klinnoy, 40 — were arrested. Eight fertiliser sacks with 300 bars of compressed marijuana, weighing 300kg, were found in the vehicle.
The women were charged with illegally having narcotic drugs in possession with intent to sell.