BANGKOK: Two local men were arrested by Thai police in Ayutthaya, central Thailand as they were about to send 700kg ‘Ice’ (Crystal Methaphetamine) valued at 2 billion Baht (RM263 million) to southern Thailand which borders Malaysia.
According to Deputy National Police chief Gen Chalermkiat Sriworakhan, from southern Thailand the drugs were to be smuggled to a neighbouring country he did not name.
“The drugs were destined for a neighbouring country, which is used (by the syndicate) as a transit destination. From this neighbouring country, the drugs would be distributed to other (foreign) markets,” he told the media here about the latest seizure of the party drug.
The two men. in their mid-20s, were arrested two days ago at a warehouse in Bang Pra-in, Ayutthaya along with the drugs, which were disguised as a tea packages.
Based on initial investigations, one of the men arrested yesterday hailed from one of the provinces in southern Thailand, said Chalermkiat, adding that the drugs originated from the Wa Special Region in Shan State, Myanmar.
Meanwhile, Metro Police Detective Department commander Maj Gen Itthipol Atchariyapradit said the two men had been under police watch for more than two months.
He believed the syndicate behind the drug bust in Ayutthaya had carried out similar smuggling operations to southern Thailand before this.
– Bernama