Police Seize 300,000 Meth Pills Hidden in Oxygen Cylinders by Two Lao Nationals

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

On the morning of April 9, authorities in the northeastern province of Loei made a significant drug bust, apprehending two Lao nationals attempting to smuggle 300,000 methamphetamine pills across the Mekong River into Thailand.

 

The operation, led by local security forces including the 2109 Border Patrol Unit, the Paak Chom Police, and Immigration officers, was conducted under the direction of Police Lieutenant General Chatchai Surachitpong, Commissioner of Provincial Police Region 4, and other high-ranking officials. It was part of a broader effort to enhance border security.

 

The two suspects, identified as 21-year-old Thao Anon Ratthanavong and 18-year-old Thao Tevid Bunhavan, both from Vientiane, Laos, were caught at around 02:40, in the Paak Chom district, Loei. They had arrived by boat from the Lao side of the river and were spotted by officers conducting a routine patrol. The suspects were found carrying three oxygen cylinders, which aroused suspicion among the authorities.

 

Upon further investigation, officers noticed a strong smell of methamphetamine emanating from the cylinders. Upon forcing open the cylinders , they discovered a total of 30 packages of methamphetamine, containing 300,000 pills. The two men admitted that they had been hired to transport the drugs in exchange for a payment of 1,000 Baht per cylinder, and were instructed to bring three cylinders at a time across the river.

 

The individuals claimed that they were unaware of the identity of the recipient waiting to collect the drugs in Thailand, as their role was solely to transport the packages. The suspects were arrested and the methamphetamine seized. They were subsequently transferred to local authorities for further legal proceedings.

 

This successful interception highlights the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement in combating cross-border drug trafficking in the region.

 

 

-- 2025-04-10