Myanmar was bound for the metal element.
PUBLISHED: 13 Jul 2024 at 05: 24
A significant number of benzene, a liquid that can also be used as a prelude substance for opiate drugs, has been intercepted at Laem Chabang Port in Si Racha area before it could be exported to Myanmar.
Srettha Thavisin, the prime minister, held a press conference at the interface on Friday to release the media about the drug-strength operation. Other officials present included Pol Lt Gen Samran Nualma, assistant national police chief, and Pol Lt Gen Panurat Lakboon, secretary-general of the Office of Narcotics Control Board ( ONCB).
According to Mr. Srettha, the government’s federal plan includes a clear strategy to combat narcotics. He praised agencies, such as the Royal Thai Police, ONCB, the Customs Department, the Department of Industrial Works, and the Narcotics Suppression Bureau, for the seizure of 90 tonnes of toluene, a chemical substance classified as a Category 3 hazardous substance under the Hazardous Substances Act BE 2535 ( 1992 ). The prime minister has mandated that there be a thorough research into this matter.
According to Pol Lt. Gen. Panurat, ONCB and officers learned that six shipping vessels at the port were being smuggled with benzene. The substance was transported via Mae Sot in Tak from Busan, South Korea, to Yangon, Myanmar.
Before the property sale could begin, the government had it seize it at Laem Chabang Port.
According to an inspection by the officers, the supplier had not previously imported this kind of substance. He said benzene is widely used as a liquid in a variety of industries, including mechanical color, material colouring, and rubber and plastic production.
It can also be used as a prelude substance to the production of illegal drugs, though.
If the 90 tonnes of benzene had been safely smuggled for opioid drug creation, it could have been used to create 4.5 tonnes of crystal meth, 270 million pills of methamphetamine, and 4.5 tonnes of cocaine.
According to Pol Lt Gen Panurat, the toluene’s price was about 3.6 million baht, but with this much money, it could be the source of significant quantities of illicit drugs for tens of billions of ringgit.
He claimed that the police may issue a request to the executives of the importer.
This activity also follows the president’s policy to eliminate the medication production cycle fully. Since last year, 859 kilograms of precursor chemicals have been confiscated.
The causes of these supplies are India, Australia, China, and South Korea, with sites in Myanmar and Laos.