260kg of ‘ice’ seized after shootout with smugglers - Bangkok Post

Soldiers check the weight of crystal methamphetamine abandoned by drug smugglers after an exchange of gunfire along the border in Mae Sai district of Chiang Rai province early on Wednesday. (Photo: Pha Muang Task Force) Army troops seized 261.5 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine, or “ice”, following a gunfight with suspected drug smugglers in Mae Sai district of Chiang Rai in the early hours of Wednesday.

Patrolling soldiers from the Chao Tak special unit spotted five or six suspicious-looking men carrying parcels in a forested area of Srichaiyaphum village in tambon Koh Chang of Mae Sai district at about 4.50am.

When the soldiers identified themselves and attempted to conduct a search, the men opened fire, triggering an exchange of gunfire that lasted about five minutes.

The suspects escaped by using their familiarity with the terrain. All of the soldiers were safe.

A subsequent sweep of the area led to the discovery of seven black plastic-wrapped sacks abandoned by the suspects. The sacks contained 261.5kg of crystal meth, classified as a Category 1 narcotic.

The seized drugs were handed over to the Mae Sai police for further legal proceedings.

Col Suphan Roiphut, commander of the Chao Tak special unit, together with Mae Sai district chief Warayut Khombun and others, inspected the site of the clash at 11am on Wednesday.

Maj Gen Sathit Waiyanon, commander of the Pha Muang Task Force, has ordered all units to intensify efforts to intercept and suppress drug trafficking along the entire northern border.

On Monday night, army troops seized 4 million speed pills following a skirmish with smugglers near the Myanmar border in Mae Sai district.

Authorities display 261.5kg of crystal methamphetamine abandoned by drug smugglers following in Mae Sai, Chiang Rai on Wednesday. (Photo: Pha Muang Task Force)