CHIANG MAI - A fleeing drug courier was arrested and about 4 million methamphetamine pills seized following a car chase in Mae Ai district on Tuesday night.
Soldiers set up a road checkpoint in tambon Mon Pin of Fang district on Tuesday night, acting on information that smugglers would move a consignment of drugs inland from the Myanmar border.
They flagged down a pickup truck with Chiang Mai plates about 8.40pm, but the driver instead sped off, heading towards Mae Ai. Troops from the Narcotics Drug and Chemical Substance Control Unit of the Northern border (Taskforce 35) gave chase.
About 11.30pm, they managed to intercept and stop the pickup truck on Highway 1089 at Kavila village in Mae Ai, Gen Narit Thawonwong, commander of the Taskforce 35, said.
Driver Jakha Ja-ou, 40, a native of Chiang Mai's Chai Prakan district, was arrested after 20 packages containing a total of 4 million meth pills were found inside the pickup.
The suspect was held for legal action. The investigation was continuing.
Solders with meth pills seized from the pickup truck. (Photo supplied/ Panumate Tanraksa)