Authorities Seize 1,500 kg of Suspected Precursor Chemicals for Drugs

Picture courtesy of ONCB.

Authorities have seized over 1,500 kilograms of suspicious chemicals falsely declared as machinery by a Chinese-owned private company. Officials suspect the substances may be precursor chemicals for drug production.

On 10 March, officers from the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB), along with Chiang Saen police, the Royal Thai Navy’s Mekong security unit, the Pha Muang military task force, and Chiang Saen customs officials, conducted a search at a private export warehouse in Wiang, Chiang Saen district, Chiang Rai province, near the Thai-Lao border along the Mekong River.

The operation followed intelligence reports that a Chinese-owned company had arranged for the shipment of two large pallets, covered by white plastic, claiming they contained machinery destined for a stone-crushing plant in Shan State, Myanmar. However, upon inspection, officials found that they did not contain machinery but rather six blue drums filled with a white, cloudy, and pungent-smelling powder, totalling 1,500 kg.

Initial field tests using chemical reagents turned the samples black and light blue, indicating the presence of unknown substances. Samples were collected in seven plastic containers and sent to a specialised laboratory for further analysis at the ONCB’s narcotics testing and research institute.

Authorities have seized the chemicals for investigation. If confirmed to be precursor substances for drug manufacturing, further legal action will be taken against those responsible.

-- 2025-03-11