Eight suspected drug traffickers shot dead in Chiang Rai
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Police and troops clashed with alleged drug traffickers trying to smuggle 70 kilogams of "ice" and more than 500,000 methamphetamine pills across the border from Myanmar early Monday morning, killing eight of the suspects.
Following the clash at 4am in the mountains near the Thai-Myanmar border in Mae Sai district, the Thai authorities recovered eight bodies, along with 70 kgs of crystal methamphetamine powder or “ice” and 550,000 methamphetamine pills.
More than 100 policemen, border patrol police and troops from Phamuang Taskforce were staked out near the mountain in Pha Mee village in Tambon Wiang Pha Kham in Mae Sae opposite Myanmar’s Tachilek district after the Thai authorities received a tip-off that the drug traffickers would smuggle the drug across the border into the kingdom.
The Thai authorities spotted some 10 or 12 men walking down the mountain towards the Thai side. They were seen carrying bags and several were carrying guns.
The authorities shouted to them to stop for a control but some of the men fired at the Thais and tried to retreat. The gunfight lasted about 15 minutes.
The Thai authorities waited until the dawn before moving in to check and found eight bodies and nine bags along with AK-47 assault rifle guns and some 9mm pistols.
Following the clash, Police Commissioner-General Pol Gen Priewphan Damapog rushed to the scene.
Priewphan said 70 kgs of crystal meth and 550,000 meth pills were found in the bags.
