PUBLISHED: 4 Apr 2025 at 03: 00
Lee RAI: Troops from the Ha Muang Force traded flames on Wednesday with suspected drug smugglers near the border in Mae Fah Luang city, from which they seized over one million meth pills.
The chief of Pha Muang Force, Maj Gen Kidakorn Chantra, said yesterday the exchange took place after guards along the borders were ramped up following a tip-off about an approaching sale of illegal medicines from Myanmar.
On Wednesday, about two miles from the frontier near Pa Sang Saen Sud Daen community, patrolling soldiers crossed lines with a group of suspected pirates.
When the officials identified themselves, the party opened fire, prompting an extreme change lasting around 10 days. The pirates later retreated, abandoning their packs as they fled.
No injuries were reported among the soldiers.
The following day, officials searched the area and discovered six abandoned backpacks containing about 1.2 million meth tablets, each marked with the amount 999.
Individually in Sa Kaeo, officials from the Burapha Task Force and regional management launched a raid on a substance community in Watthana Nakhon area following complaints from residents about gang-related problems.
During the attack, officials arrested three offenders: Thanaphum Bandit, 23, Rewat Wasri, 34, and Wasan Thamkarnsom, 33, and seized 91 meth medications.
The defendants were released from prison on Dec 22 after serving a four-year statement on medication and weapons charges. They were also wearing their knee panels when arrested.