8m meth pills seized in Saraburi

Five suspected members of a major drug trafficking network have been arrested and 8 million methamphetamine pills worth about 50 million baht seized in Saraburi province.

The four Thai men and one Lao woman have links with the Jae Cake Sanam Chai drug trafficking network, according to Pol Lt Gen Jiraphat Phumjit, chief of Provincial Police Region 1.

During a press briefing yesterday at Kaeng Khoi police station in Saraburi, the suspects were identified as Theerahong Phuphiewluang, 32, Phromphong Seelakan, 25, Saran Ketkaew, 23, Thawatchai Intharasongkhor, 66, and Lao national Kesone Misy, 31, Pol Lt Gen Jiraphat said.

The arrests were made following an investigation into the activities of a woman named only as Ms Jenjira, more widely known as Cake, the leader of a major drug network, he said.

She had arranged for the transportation of smuggled drugs from a border area in the Northeast to buyers in the Central Plains and the South.

On Friday, police began pursuing a Toyota Fortuner and an Isuzu Mu-X, travelling along Chok Chai Road heading towards Lam Phra Phoeng intersection in Pak Thong Chai district of Nakon Ratchasima. The fleeing drivers turned onto a side road, but the vehicles were later intercepted, and five suspects were arrested in Kaeng Khoi district of Saraburi.

The Fortuner was carrying 17 fertiliser sacks containing 4,000 packages with a total of 8 million meth pills. Mr Theerahong was the driver. The four other suspects were in the Isuzu Mu-X, which travelled ahead as a lookout. Mr Saran drove this vehicle.

The suspects confessed to being paid 40,000 baht each to deliver the drugs. All were charged with collusion in the possession of illicit drugs with intent to sell.