Narcotics Suppression Bureau (NSB) police arrested six suspects and impounded about 230 million baht in assets in a major drug suppression operation across nine provinces.
According to Pol Gen Chinapat Sarasin, the deputy national police chief and director of the narcotics suppression centre, the operation was a follow-up on crackdowns launched from late 2021 to early 2022.
In that operation, nearly one million methamphetamine pills were found in the Don Muang area.
He added that nearly 75 million baht worth of assets were also impounded, and a number of suspects were arrested.
In the latest operation, an investigation conducted by a combined force of police and local authorities found a man named Chatchai, with the alias Ah Fu, to be the leader of the drug networks targeted in the crackdowns which involved a thorough search of locations linked to the gang.
The operations covered 40 locations in Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Chon Buri, Amnat Charoen, Khon Kaen, Surat Thani, Phuket, and Trang.
Court-approved warrants were issued against nine suspected members of the drug network.
Of them, six were caught and they were identified only as; Mr Suwat, a gang leader; Ms Mayuree; Mr Thanachote; and Mr Non, all of whom were charged in Bangkok.
The other two suspects, a Mr Prempawaris and a Mr Jatuporn, were arrested and charged in Pathum Thani's Lam Luk Ka district and Kanchanaburi's Muang district, respectively.
The police also seized a vast number of assets linked to the gang. They include 16 houses, nine plots of land, seven cars, eight gold bullions, as well as an unspecified amount of cash.
Another warrant was issued for Mr Chatchai, who remains at large.
Also, Pol Gen Chinapat added that the NSB has not received formal reports about Thapanan "Noo Chen" Thammathada, a major drug suspect high on the wanted list, who is said to have died while on the run overseas.