Authorities seized 5 million speed pills from a warehouse in Chiang Rai on Saturday morning, while another 6 million speed pills and 29 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine were found abandoned by smugglers after a clash in Chiang Mai.
A combined team of border patrol police, paramilitary rangers and narcotics suppression police spotted a suspicious pickup truck avoiding road checkpoints near the border in Mae Fa Luang and Chiang Saen districts of Chiang Rai on Saturday morning.
This prompted the team to give chase. At about 9am, the officers found the vehicle parked at a warehouse in tambon Pha-ngam of Wiang Chai district. A search found 25 sacks containing 5 million speed pills inside a storage room, said Lt Gen Narit Thawornwong, commander of the 3rd Corps, in his capacity as chief of a northern border drug suppression unit.
The Pha Muang task force, meanwhile, reported that 6 million speed pills and 29kg of crystal methamphetamine were seized following a clash between soldiers from the Chaiyanuparb military unit and drug smugglers in Wiang Haeng district of Chiang Mai.
The soldiers first spotted the smugglers around 4.30am on Saturday while patrolling a border area at Huai Luek Maeyangkum village. After an exchange of gunfire, the armed men fled. No soldiers were injured.
Troops who inspected the area afterward found 33 modified rucksacks containing the drugs, said Lt Gen Narit.
The drugs were handed over to police at the Wiang Haeng station.
Soldiers inspect rucksacks left abandoned by drug smugglers after a clash in Wiang Haeng district of Chiang Mai on Saturday. (Photo: Pha Muang task force)