Thailand Police Seize 5 Million Meth Pills After High-Speed Chase
A high-speed chase following a checkpoint evasion in Kamphaeng Phet, Thailand, culminated in a dramatic crash and the seizure of approximately 5 million methamphetamine pills on Monday night. The incident highlights the ongoing struggle against drug trafficking in the region and the extreme measures smugglers employ to evade detection.
Around 8:00 p. m., a white Ford Ranger pickup truck approached a police checkpoint at a traffic intersection in tambon Nong Pling, Muang district. Instead of stopping, the driver abruptly executed a U-turn and sped off, immediately arousing suspicion. Police officers initiated a pursuit on motorcycles.
The suspect, identified as 36-year-old Kritsada, drove recklessly against oncoming traffic. In a desperate attempt to reach Phahon Yothin Road, he attempted another U-turn, colliding with an oncoming 18-wheeler truck. The resulting collision ended the pursuit, fortunately without injury.
What began as a routine checkpoint stop resulted in a significant drug bust. A search of the wrecked pickup truck uncovered approximately 5 million methamphetamine pills in 20 separate packages, scattered throughout the cargo bed and passenger seats. Police also found a collection of license plates from various provinces, suggesting an attempt to disguise the vehicle.
The investigation revealed discrepancies in the truck’s registration. While displaying Sukhothai province license plates, the vehicle was registered in Phayao. This, along with Kritsada’s confession, provided crucial details about the operation.
In custody, Kritsada admitted to picking up the drugs in Lampang, originating his journey in Chiang Rai, and intending to deliver them to an unspecified agent in central Thailand. This confession offers valuable intelligence regarding trafficking routes and networks.
The seized vehicle is undergoing forensic examination at the Kamphaeng Phet Police Forensic Science Centre. Authorities are expanding their investigation, following leads from Kritsada’s confession to dismantle the wider criminal network. This significant seizure represents a substantial disruption to the drug supply chain, preventing millions of pills from reaching the streets and shedding further light on the challenges faced by law enforcement in combating sophisticated drug trafficking operations in Southeast Asia.
