The Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) integrated efforts with police from Buriram and Nakhon Ratchasima to launch the "Operation Strike at Malignancy No. 7," arresting a police captain from Mueang Yang Police Station who was hiding methamphetamine in his official residence. The suspect denied the charges, claiming the methamphetamine was for work use. Authorities are speeding up criminal prosecution alongside disciplinary measures.
On 17 May 2026 GMT+7, it was reported that on 15 May, Mr. Manop Saengsot, Director of ONCB Region 3, along with Acting Police Captain Theeraphan Nakpan-iem, Director of the Enforcement Division of ONCB Region 3, and officials, collaborated with police from Khu Mueang Police Station, Buriram Province, and the Investigation Unit of Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Police to conduct an investigation into government officials involved with narcotics under "Operation Strike at Malignancy No. 7."
This followed the arrest of two suspects by Khu Mueang Police Station with 256 methamphetamine pills as evidence. Investigations revealed that some of the drugs originated from a police officer holding the rank of Police Captain at Mueang Yang Police Station, Nakhon Ratchasima. Coordination was made with Police Colonel Kachench Setaputta, Deputy Commander of Chaiyaphum Provincial Police, assisting Nakhon Ratchasima Police to join the inspection.
Authorities then inspected the target individual at Mueang Yang Police Station, Mueang Yang District, Nakhon Ratchasima. The suspect voluntarily underwent a urine drug test, which returned negative for narcotics.
Subsequently, officers searched the workplace, vehicles, and official residence of the suspect at Mueang Yang Police Station. The search uncovered 20 methamphetamine pills hidden in a basket on a table inside the bedroom on the first floor of the residence. The suspect was detained and handed over to investigators at Mueang Yang Police Station to face charges of "possession of Category 1 narcotics (methamphetamine) without authorization." Further searches at another residence in Khui Subdistrict, Lam Thamenchai District, Nakhon Ratchasima, found no illegal items but resulted in the seizure of a Toyota Vigo pickup truck valued at approximately 200,000 baht for additional examination.
The accused Police Captain denied the charges, claiming the methamphetamine was not his and was kept only for work purposes. The ONCB Region 3 and Khu Mueang Police Station stated that while it is the suspect's right to give any statement, the police have clear evidence.
Investigations found that the police officer from Mueang Yang Police Station had been appointed as an ONCB official. Following the search, the suspect submitted a report returning the ONCB official identification card to the ONCB office. Authorities will continue fact-finding, consider disciplinary actions, and proceed with dismissal from service according to legal procedures.
The Office of the Narcotics Control Board, Ministry of Justice, affirmed its commitment to combat drug trafficking and take firm action against corrupt government officials to uphold law enforcement standards and build public confidence, in line with government policy. They will also expand investigations into all related cases to completely dismantle the drug network.