Malaysian drug ‘mules’ nabbed on train with huge haul of ‘ice’, heroin

The gang was allegedly trying to move illicit drugs worth Bt4 billion – or far more overseas – from northern Thailand to the Malaysian town of Butterworth.

One suspect, Malaysian Ngo Kien Yew, reportedly admitted to police that he was the gang leader, Central Investigation Bureau chief Pol Lt-General Thitiraj Nongharnpitak told the press yesterday. The gang was using the train because it was seen as less risky than cars, which have to go through checkpoints on the way, he said.

Following a tip, Railway Police closely watched the No 35 international train going from Bangkok to Padang Besar and made an initial arrest at 5pm on Wednesday, taking in two suspects – Muhammad Aisamuddin Bin Abd Razak and Mazenesam Bin Manap – who were found in possession of 34kg of “ice” and some heroin. 

The duo was taken off the train at Ratchaburi Station. 

Police then nabbed three accomplices – Kamaludin Bin Sarju, Nabil Syafiq Bin Kamal and Idris Syarif Bin Syarifuddin – along with 23kg of “ice” – and pulled them off at Hua Hin Station. 

Subsequent searches on the same train saw police arrest a further seven alleged “drug mules” – Kenny Lim Wei Liang, Woon Ming Sheng, Tan Chat Phem, Yap Chun Man, Ngor Kien Yew, Liew Pow Swee, and Seah Chin Wee – along with 74 kg of “ice”. They were taken off at Prachuap Khiri Khan Station. 

A further 51kg of “ice” and 4.8kg of heroin were seized and removed from the train at Chumphon Station. 

Three more suspects – Wong Kah Seng, Loo Chee Aik and Ho Wai Hai – were allegedly found with 44kg of “ice” and taken off at Surat Thani Station. 

All 15 suspects are facing charges of being in possession of Category 1 illicit drugs – “ice” and heroin. 

CIB chief Thitiraj said it was the largest drug bust in three years, with the gang moving the drugs from Chiang Mai – where they initially gathered from March 14 – to Bangkok, before getting on the train to the South and Malaysia. 

Police are now looking for Thai accomplices. The suspects reportedly gave confusing statements to police, with some claiming they were hired to transport a package for Bt5,000 without knowing what was inside, he said.

In a separate case, a 150-strong team of combined security officers including US Drug Enforcement Administration agents raided 14 locations in Chiang Mai yesterday to seize assets – two houses and one shop that rents motorcycles, plus 47 motorbikes – worth almost Bt100 million from the “Meunjada” drug ring. 

The gang is reportedly led by Weera Meunjada, the son-in-law of Wa Army Colonel Jalorbo, Narcotics Suppression Bureau chief Pol Lt-General Rewat Klinkesorn said. 

Thai authorities have intercepted at least 2 million ‘yaba’ pills allegedly smuggled by Weera’s gang in recent years, which, he said, had many members including dealers in Bangkok and nearby provinces. 

Although his younger brother had been captured by Thai police, Weera has so far evaded arrest, as he resides in the Myanmar border area with his wife. 

Rewat said police tried to get Jalorbo – who insists he has nothing to do with drug trafficking – to hand over Weera to prove his innocence.