Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand — In a major operation to disrupt drug trafficking, Nakhon Ratchasima police arrested two suspects involved in smuggling 400,000 methamphetamine pills across the Mekong River, valued at 6 million baht.
On February 3, Police Lieutenant General Wathana Yeejeen, Commissioner of Region 3, along with other officials, announced the arrest of Suriya “Yin” Noikaew, a 52-year-old man from Nakhon Phanom, and Phonethip Sengmany, a 21-year-old Lao national from Bolikhamxai Province.
The investigation, which was part of an ongoing effort to combat a Thai-Laotian drug network, led to the seizure of 68 packages containing the methamphetamine pills, each marked with a Y-1 symbol and wrapped in plastic and aluminium foil.
The operation began after a series of arrests involving minor drug users and dealers. Authorities received intelligence about a drug ring smuggling narcotics from the northeastern border into Nakhon Ratchasima, which also facilitated financial transactions via bank accounts.
On February 1, undercover police officers posed as food delivery riders in Nong Takhlong Village, Mueang district. At around 4 p.m., a grey Toyota Revo pickup truck, bearing Bangkok registration, entered the village and stopped near a waste disposal site. Suriya was seen retrieving the drugs from a fertiliser sack.
When police identified themselves, Suriya tried to flee but was quickly apprehended. A subsequent search of the sack revealed the 400,000 methamphetamine pills, with an estimated street value of 6 million baht (US$176,220). Further inspection of the vehicle uncovered even more methamphetamine hidden under the truck’s floor and inside a speaker box.
Suriya admitted to being unemployed and said he accepted the job to earn money, while Phonethip denied involvement, claiming she was simply accompanying Suriya.
Both suspects face serious charges for possession and distribution of a category one narcotic (methamphetamine), which poses significant risks to public safety and security.
Police continue their investigation and have urged the public to report any suspicious activity or drug-related crimes through the drug hotline 1599, emergency hotline 191, or the Police I lert U application.
This arrest is part of ongoing efforts to crack down on drug trafficking and improve public safety in the region.
