Government agencies seized about 450 million baht worth of drugs and drug-related assets during the past two months, Justice Minister Somsak Thepsuthin said on Wednesday.
During May-June this year, drug suppression agencies busted 43 drug smuggling rings and arrested a total of 1,346 suspects.
They seized a total of 25,997,331 methamphetamine pills, 321 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine, or ice, 1 kilogramme of ketamine, 3.5kg of heroin and 420kg of marijuana.
The seized drugs and assets obtained with the proceeds of drug sales were worth about 450 million baht altogeher, the minister said.
Suspects' bank accounts with about 12 billion baht in circulation were also seized for examination.
Officials found that items other than cash were also being used in drug transactions - for example, gold bars, fuel, zinc and steel rods. This made it more difficult for them to obtain solid evidence against suspects and seize their assets.
This matter was raised for discussion at a meeting on Wednesday, Mr Somsak said. The money-laundering law might have to be amended to accommodate this aspect.
Also present at the media briefing were Pol Lt Gen Wissanu Prasartthongosot, an assistant police chief, and Nirom Termsrisuk, secretary-general of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board.