Provincial Police Region 5 launched an operation to dismantle a drug trafficking network, seizing a total of 7.1 million methamphetamine pills. Two young men from Tak province were arrested for transporting drugs in exchange for 500,000 baht. Another suspect, an electric meter reader working for a private company, was traced from just 2 meth pills, leading to the seizure of 1.1 million pills.
On 11 May 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at Provincial Police Region 5 headquarters, Police Lieutenant General Kritthaphon Yisakorn, Commander of Provincial Police Region 5, together with Police Lieutenant General Nopadol Kruengkrai, Special Operations Commander, Police Major General Yuttana Kaenchan, Commander of Chiang Mai Provincial Police, Police Major General Phumipanya Nawatrakulpisut, Commander of Lampang Provincial Police, Lieutenant General Worathep Boonya, Commander of the Third Army Area, Governor Ratthaphon Naradisorn of Chiang Mai, Governor Wiwat Intrthaiwong of Lampang, and Police Lieutenant Colonel Narich Sondit, Director of the Narcotics Suppression Office Region 5, jointly announced the arrests in two major drug cases involving three suspects and seized 7.1 million methamphetamine pills.
In the first case, authorities intercepted a vehicle transporting 6 million methamphetamine pills in Mae Phrik District. On 9 May 2026 at about 9:30 p.m., police from Mae Phrik Police Station in Lampang Province, together with the AI technology-based drug interdiction unit of Narcotics Suppression Center Region 5, set up a checkpoint to crack down on drug offenses and general crime. They spotted two suspicious vehicles—a white Hyundai Grand Starex registered in Bangkok and a gray Mitsubishi Mirage registered in Chachoengsao—suspected of smuggling drugs from Thoeng District, Chiang Rai Province, to inner areas. Officers followed the vehicles as they traveled on Highway 1102 (secondary route) near Ban Wangphu, Village 5, Mae Pu Subdistrict, Mae Phrik District, Lampang Province, continuing to Ban Phra Bat Wang Tuang, Village 5, Phra Bat Wang Tuang Subdistrict, Mae Phrik District.
During the arrest, the Hyundai vehicle stopped and reversed, grazing a police car that was blocking it, causing damage. The driver then fled on foot. Officers pursued and captured Mr. Kriangkrai, 29, from Kiri Rat Subdistrict, Phop Phra District, Tak Province, near the Wangphu irrigation canal about 500 meters from where the vehicle stopped. A search of the vehicle found 20 black bags containing approximately 6 million methamphetamine pills. Meanwhile, officers pursuing the Mitsubishi vehicle saw it lose control while fleeing and apprehended the driver, Mr. Jirayu, 37, from Ruamthai Phatthana Subdistrict, Phop Phra District, Tak Province.
During interrogation, the suspects confessed they were hired by an unknown man to collect drugs about 1 kilometer past the Phu Chi Fa gate in Thoeng District, Chiang Rai Province, to deliver them near the Saraburi–Lom Sak Road for a 500,000 baht fee. The network arranged the vehicles, guides, and provided an advance payment of 30,000 baht, with the remaining 470,000 baht to be paid after successful delivery. They were arrested before completing the delivery. Authorities seized all evidence and handed the suspects over to Mae Phrik Police Station for legal proceedings. Investigations are ongoing to track down co-conspirators.
In the second case, an electric meter reader hid over 1.1 million methamphetamine pills. Police from Chang Phueak Police Station, Chiang Mai Province, together with Mae Taeng Police Station and related agencies, received a tip from an informant that Mr. Boy, also known as Mr. Sanan, who rides a red and white Honda Wave motorcycle with license plate 2กต 3692 Chiang Mai, working as an electric meter reader in Chang Phueak Subdistrict, Mueang Chiang Mai District, for a private company, was involved in drug activities. Authorities began monitoring his behavior continuously.
On 8 May 2026 at about 8:15 p.m., officers saw Mr. Sanan park his motorcycle at the parking lot of Kaeng Ron Ban Suan restaurant acting suspiciously. They identified themselves and brought him to Chang Phueak Police Station. A search found 2 methamphetamine pills hidden in a wallet inside his shoulder bag. After arrest, he confessed to hiding more drugs at his home in Village 7, Mae Ho Phra Subdistrict, Mae Taeng District, Chiang Mai Province, and agreed to lead officers to search. They found 4 black garbage bags containing about 392,002 methamphetamine pills, which were seized. He was charged and transferred to police for prosecution.
Further investigation revealed the network had another stash of methamphetamine pills stored for distribution in the area. The drugs were to be delivered near the canal embankment road at Muak Mue Village, Village 1, Khi Lek Subdistrict, Mae Taeng District, Chiang Mai. Authorities coordinated with Mae Taeng Police Station to conduct a raid, discovering 8 black bags containing about 730,000 methamphetamine pills. These were also seized, and the case was handed to Mae Taeng Police Station to continue investigating and tracking down accomplices.