CHIANG MAI: The Narcotic Drug and Chemical Substance Control Command Unit of the Northern Border (Taskforce 35) gave an update on Tuesday on the progress made over the past six months in suppressing narcotics along Thailand's borders, revealing that almost 130 million illegal pills have been seized.
The task force was involved in 74 narcotic drug operations over this period, 30 of which resulted in gunfights, according to Gen Narit Thawonwong, the commander of Taskforce 35.
The task force arrested suspects in 40 cases, with four cases leading to further probes and asset seizures.
Overall, 1,507 suspects were arrested, while 25 others died during the operations, Gen Narit said.
Officials seized at least 129 million methamphetamine pills or ya ba, 1,890 kilogrammes of crystal meth or ya ice, 249kg of heroin, and 188kg of raw opium, he added.
The task force's operations came after the government announced drug suppression areas in 11 northern border districts last December.
This involved the districts of Fang, Chiang Dao, Chai Prakarn, Mae Ai, and Wiang Haeng in Chiang Mai province, and Mae Chan, Mae Fa Luang, Mae Sai, Chiang Khong, Chiang Saen and Wiang Kaen in Chiang Rai province, said Gen Narit.
The government also ordered a 90-day drug suppression operation in seven more districts -- Chiang Rai's Thoeng district, Mae Hong Son's Pai and Pang Ma Pha districts, Phayao's Phu Sang district, Nan's Chaloem Phrakiat district, and Tak's Pob Phra and Mae Sot districts, on May 16, said Apikit Chrojprasert, the director of Narcotics Control Office Region 5.
In related news, the Pha Muang Taskforce and a drug network clashed in Chiang Mai's Wiang Haeng district. No injuries were reported.
Officials seized six backpacks containing a total of 1.2 million pills.