The ONDCP expanded its "Operation Cut the Cancer" to dismantle the drug network of "Sia Jiew," arresting a lieutenant colonel involved in money laundering and a special forces lieutenant responsible for transporting drugs into Thailand.
On 2 March 2026, under the leadership of Police Lieutenant Colonel Suriya Singhakmon, Secretary-General of the ONDCP, the Ministry of Justice launched the second phase of "Operation Cut the Cancer." They arrested two military officers: a lieutenant colonel from the Office of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defense involved in money laundering, and a special forces lieutenant responsible for transporting drugs into Thailand for the transnational drug trafficking network led by "Sia Jiew," a former prisoner who falsely claimed to be a senior military officer to deceive authorities.
The investigation began on 26 December 2024, when a task force from the Chaophraya Tak Special Task Unit intercepted a suspicious pickup truck in Mae Fah Luang District, Chiang Rai Province. They seized a large shipment of crystal methamphetamine (ice) totaling over 1,418 kilograms in 44 sacks. Key evidence included mobile phones, which led to extracting LINE chat data revealing that the orchestrator was Mr. Chutitun, known as "Sia Jiew," an ethnic hill tribe member previously arrested in a heroin case in 2006.
After serving his sentence, he changed his name and fabricated a false identity claiming to be a senior military officer, returning to involvement in transnational drug trafficking by transporting drugs from the northern border down to the south for onward shipment to third countries.
Later, on 8 March 2025, authorities tracked a six-wheeled truck with license plates resembling a military vehicle. A shootout occurred near Doi Mae Salong Nok in Mae Fah Luang District, Chiang Rai, where over 1,400 kilograms of ice hidden in a fuel tank were seized.
Seven suspects were arrested, three of whom were former soldiers previously dismissed from service for drug-related offenses. They had become hired security and transport operatives for the drug network.
Based on solid evidence, a decisive operation was launched on 12 February 2026, with the ONDCP joining forces with the Provincial Police Region 5 to conduct coordinated raids at eight targets across Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Nonthaburi, and Bangkok.
They arrested Ms. Sirinda, wife of "Sia Jiew," Mr. Siwasan, a vehicle procurement agent, and Lieutenant Chokchai, a soldier from the Special Warfare Command who served as part of the drug transport team. They also seized 47 assets, including real estate, bank deposits, vehicles, firearms, gold jewelry, and cash, with a total value exceeding 122 million baht.
Following the arrests, investigators expanded their probe into the financial transactions of individuals in the network, uncovering suspicious money trails linked to a military officer holding the rank of lieutenant colonel, along with his wife and her relatives.
Evidence showed multiple million-baht transfers from "Sia Jiew's" network. Crucially, relatives on the lieutenant colonel's wife's side acted as nominees holding high-value assets on behalf of "Sia Jiew" and his wife across several properties.
Investigators filed a petition with Chiang Rai Provincial Court to issue arrest warrants for the lieutenant colonel and his wife on charges of conspiracy to commit serious drug-related offenses.
The ONDCP of the Ministry of Justice then launched another crackdown on 25 February 2026, arresting Lieutenant Colonel Pan from the Office of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defense and his wife on Chaeng Watthana Soi 25 in Bangkok.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Suriya Singhakmon, Secretary-General of the ONDCP, stated, "Although the main perpetrator, 'Sia Jiew,' remains at large, this crackdown has successfully apprehended two state officials involved in drug offenses: Lieutenant Chokchai from the special forces and Lieutenant Colonel Pan from the Ministry of Defense's Permanent Secretary Office.
This represents a decisive blow, cutting off key funding sources of the transnational drug network with no exceptions."
Intelligence reports from 2019 indicated that the ONDCP received information from Taiwan's Coast Guard that "Sia Jiew" was involved in a case where Thai and Taiwanese nationals smuggled 29 kilograms of heroin into Taiwan for distribution.
Military intelligence also linked him to maritime drug trafficking cases involving shipment to third countries.
This second phase of "Operation Cut the Cancer" aims to root out corrupt state officials at all levels connected to drug networks, focusing on transparency in government and restoring public trust. The ONDCP reaffirmed its determination to relentlessly suppress drug trafficking operations.
They emphasized that no offender, regardless of rank or position in the state, will be exempt from decisive action. Citizens are encouraged to report any drug-related offenses via the ONDCP hotline at 1386, the trusted source for all drug issues."