The Nakhon Phanom investigation team expanded asset seizures against the Tambon Administrative Organization Council Chairman involved in smuggling methamphetamine along the Mekong River. They found over 4 million baht circulating in bank accounts and assets including houses and land deeds valued at more than 10 million baht. Authorities are accelerating efforts to prosecute the transnational drug trafficking network.
On 1 August 2026 in Nakhon Phanom province, reporters reported progress in the expanded prosecution following the operation by Task Force 2102 of the Ranger Battalion in Tha Uthen district, Nakhon Phanom, collaborating with security agencies to track and arrest Mr. Siwat Sangba, also known as Aoi, 49, a resident of Ban Hadsai Pe, Village 5, Nong Thao subdistrict, Tha Uthen district, Nakhon Phanom. He is currently a member of the Nong Thao Tambon Administrative Organization and serves as Chairman of its Council. Authorities seized 400,000 methamphetamine pills hidden in two fertilizer sacks.
He was arrested while transporting and temporarily storing the methamphetamine in a cattle pen used as a stash point along the Mekong River border area in Nong Thao subdistrict, Tha Uthen district, Nakhon Phanom. Although the suspect denies the charges and intends to plead in court, the evidence is clear. He has a history as a key methamphetamine agent operating in the area and has been a target of authorities for a long time but lacked sufficient evidence until he was caught red-handed. Meanwhile, his wife remains imprisoned on drug-related charges.
Recently, the Nakhon Phanom investigation police inspected and expanded asset seizures under the Narcotics Case Procedure Act to disrupt the drug trade. They seized eight land title deeds totaling about 20 rai valued at over 4 million baht. They found a safe containing more than 150,000 baht in cash at his home, along with a 9mm pistol and ammunition, one car, and one motorcycle. Additionally, five bank passbooks were found with transactions totaling approximately 4.7 million baht. Authorities will freeze these accounts and investigate the origins of all assets following legal procedures. They are also intensifying efforts to track and arrest the network believed to be involved in smuggling methamphetamine from Laos to be stored and forwarded to interior provinces.
Tha Uthen district in Nakhon Phanom is known for continuous drug seizures and crackdowns. Over the past year, more than 40 million methamphetamine pills have been seized along Nakhon Phanom’s border area. Coordination among all agencies is ongoing to intensify prevention, suppression, and arrests.