Thai troops have seized nearly 100,000 alprazolam tablets, commonly referred to as “date rape drugs”, during a patrol along the Thai-Cambodian border in Sa Kaeo province on April 26. Two unidentified men abandoned the drugs and fled across the border into Cambodia after spotting authorities. The haul, totalling approximately 96,000 pills, was confiscated for further investigation.
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The operation followed orders from Major General Benjapol Dechatwong Na Ayutthaya, commander of Burapha Task Force, to intensify border security against illegal activities. Colonel Chainarong Kasee, commander of Aranyaprathet Task Force, and Colonel Pongsakorn Sueangam of Ranger Task Force 12 deployed troops from Ranger Company 1206 to patrol natural crossing routes. The aim was to prevent smuggling and illegal migration along vulnerable border areas.
While patrolling near a natural crossing point between checkpoint areas 48 and 49 in Ban Noen Sombun, Khlong Nam Sai subdistrict, Aranyaprathet district, officers encountered two suspicious men carrying a large grey sack. When approached, the men panicked and dropped the sack roughly 10 metres from the Khlong Nam Sai border canal. They then fled into nearby woodland and escaped by jumping into the canal and crossing back into Cambodia.
Inspection of the abandoned sack revealed multiple boxes containing alprazolam, a psychotropic substance classified as a Category 2 controlled drug. Authorities found 480 boxes of Axprazol (0.5 mg), totalling 48,000 tablets, and 480 boxes of Asolan (0.5 mg), also totalling 48,000 tablets. The combined total amounted to 960 boxes, or approximately 96,000 pills.
Picture courtesy of Daily News
The seized drugs were taken to Ranger Company 1206 for detailed examination before being handed over to Aranyaprathet customs officials. Authorities are now working to trace the origin of the drugs and identify those involved in the attempted smuggling operation.
Officials say the case highlights ongoing challenges in policing porous border areas frequently used for illegal trafficking. Increased patrols and surveillance measures are expected to continue as part of broader efforts to curb cross-border crime.
Daily News reported that further investigations are underway to determine where the drugs were intended for distribution and if linked to a wider trafficking networks operating in the region.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now Dailynews 27 Apr 2026
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