Police Seize 200kg of Ice in Chaiyaphum

Police, soldiers and Border Patrol Police in Chaiyaphum have seized more than 200 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine, commonly known as ice, and arrested one suspect linked to a transnational drug trafficking network.

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The operation took place on 28 May 2026 after officers from the Chaiyaphum Provincial Police narcotics suppression unit received reports that drugs were being smuggled from a neighbouring country across the Mekong River into northeastern Thailand. Authorities said the shipment was destined for Bangkok, surrounding provinces and eastern Thailand.

Led by Pol Lt Col Komsan Narampong, deputy superintendent of investigations, officers worked with military personnel and Border Patrol Police to gather intelligence on a Lao trafficking network believed to be using routes through Khon Kaen and Kaeng Khro district in Chaiyaphum as part of a wider transport operation.

Police later coordinated with officers from Kaeng Khro Police Station to set up surveillance points along Highway 201 between Phu Khiao and Kaeng Khro, as well as roads leading into Chaiyaphum town. The operation began on the evening of 27 May.

At around midnight, officers spotted a white Mitsubishi SUV entering Chong Sam Mo subdistrict in Kaeng Khro district, around six kilometres before the town centre. Officers stopped and searched the vehicle.

A middle-aged man was found driving alone. Inside the vehicle, officers discovered two large suitcases containing 191 packages of ice with a combined weight of 200.50 kilogrammes. The drugs were estimated to have a street value of more than 50 million baht.

The suspect reportedly confessed to being hired to transport the drugs to central Thailand. Authorities also seized assets worth around 1.093 million baht under narcotics legislation, including the vehicle, a gold necklace, a Buddha amulet in a gold casing and other valuables.

Later that morning, Chaiyaphum governor Anan Nakniyom and Pol Maj Gen Sujarit Panlek, commander of Chaiyaphum Provincial Police, held a press conference outside Kaeng Khro Police Station displaying the seized drugs, vehicle and confiscated assets.

Officials described the group as a major storage and distribution network trusted by traffickers from neighbouring countries to move narcotics into Bangkok, surrounding provinces and eastern Thailand. Investigators also said financial trail evidence and information on additional suspects had been uncovered.

Khaosod reported that authorities believe the drugs are smuggled into Thailand from a neighbouring country before being transported onwards to other provinces and a third country. Police said further investigations would focus on expanding the case, tracking financial transactions and arresting other members of the network.

Pictures courtesy of Khaosod

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Khaosod 29 May 2026