Six smugglers escape as six sacks of meth seized in Nong Khai
Authorities have confiscated a haul of crystal meth worth over Bt238 million in a stakeout in Nong Khai province on Sunday. The drugs couriers got away in the operation on the banks of the Mekong River in the late-night operation, police said.
Rear Admiral Pisit Thongdeelert, head of the Mekong Riverine Unit Headquarters, said on Sunday that his agency sent a Nong Khai-based team to watch the Mekong River after receiving a tip-off that drugs smugglers would make a delivery.
At about 11:30pm on Friday the team observed four men taking six sacks out of a boat that had just crossed the river and placing them alongside the Sangkhom – Chiang Khan Road, said Pisit.
When a pickup truck arrived, officials rushed to the scene but six men, including two from the pickup, quickly fled into the darkness.
The sacks were filled with 238 kilos of crystal methamphetamine, said Pisit.
Nong Khai Governor Ronnachai Jitwises said the Northeast has experienced a recent increase in drugs smuggling as criminals shied away from the more closely monitored northern routes.
“We have to work harder in combating illicit drugs,” Ronnachai said.