Region 1 police raided a drug trafficking gang, arresting three suspects and seizing 4.8 million methamphetamine pills. The drugs were brought from a neighboring country during the New Year period and hidden in an abandoned house in Lopburi. Authorities are expanding the investigation and tracking down suspects who remain at large.
On 5 Jan 2026 GMT+7, Mr. Prachaya Pepatang, Deputy Governor of Lopburi, Pol. Maj. Gen. Sathaporn Emoht, Deputy Commander of Region 1 Police, Pol. Maj. Gen. Yanyong Santipreechawat, Commander of Lopburi Provincial Police, Pol. Col. Kraisorn Sriamporn, Chief of Investigation Region 1, Pol. Col. Thatchawat Saiyotha, Chief of Tha Hin Police Station, and police from Saraburi Province jointly arrested Mr. Pongphat Noinae, 28, Mr. Komsan Sriwiset, 28, and Mr. Saharat Wadkhian, 26, at an abandoned house number 199, Moo 8, Talung Subdistrict, Mueang Lopburi District. The operation followed a tip from Saraburi Provincial Police's investigation unit tracking vehicles and suspects linked to major drug trafficking in Lopburi. They planned the arrest and seized 12 sacks containing a total of 4.8 million methamphetamine pills, five cars, and several mobile phones. Three men were detained, while two others fled and are being pursued by police.
Investigations revealed that the methamphetamine trafficking operation from the Mekong side took advantage of the busy New Year holiday travel period to smuggle drugs across the Mekong River from a neighboring country. The drugs were intended for customers in Lopburi, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Saraburi, Pathum Thani, and adjacent central provinces. The stash was hidden in an abandoned house within a santol and mango orchard with no electricity and a secure fence. Around 11:00 a.m. on 5 Jan 2026 GMT+7, police surveillance noticed multiple cars entering and leaving the premises. They set up a cordon, and when a fourth car arrived, officers moved in to arrest the suspects. Upon seeing the police, two suspects fled into surrounding fields but were cornered; three suspects were caught inside the house, where 12 sacks of methamphetamine pills were found lined up.
Police conducted initial interrogations and searched the house to gather further evidence. The investigation is expected to link this case to major drug dealers operating in central and adjacent regions. The Deputy Governor of Lopburi expressed astonishment that all the arrested suspects are under 30 years old.