Father and Son Arrested at Checkpoint with 50kg of Crystal Meth

Picture courtesy of MGR Online

In a major bust, a father and son duo were arrested at a police checkpoint for transporting over 50 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine. The operation was led by officials from the Highway Police Division and the Central Investigation Bureau, who acted on a tip-off regarding a southern drug network.

The suspects, identified as 47-year-old Sabree and his 19-year-old son, Fittree, were apprehended at the Highway 41 checkpoint in Thung Song district, Nakhon Si Thammarat province. Along with the drugs, police seized two vehicles—a grey Honda CR-V and a white Honda Accord—and two mobile phones.

The arrest followed intelligence about crystal meth being moved from the north to the south of Thailand, prompting the police to set up a strategic checkpoint. During their search, officers discovered 50 packages of the drug disguised as tea bags.

Sabree admitted to being paid 45,000 baht (about US$1,375) per trip to transport the drugs from Mae Sai district in Chiang Rai province to Narathiwat province, acknowledging he had completed this task twice before. Fittree, however, claimed ignorance of the scale of the operation, stating his father had coaxed him into driving to Chiang Rai without revealing the true purpose.

During their return trip, Sabree instructed Fittree to drive ahead and alert him of any police checkpoints, leading Fittree to believe the mission was about avoiding arrest for personal drug use rather than trafficking.

Both face severe charges: possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and endangerment of public welfare. Sabree also faces charges for driving under the influence of methamphetamine. The suspects and evidence have been transferred to Division 5 of the Central Investigation Bureau for further proceedings.

This bust is part of Fast74, a police initiative focused on dismantling organised crime networks. Investigators noted that the suspects' operation involved systematic roles, including high-speed route clearing. Their apprehension was the result of detailed planning and highway police tactics designed to outmaneuver and detain such suspects effectively.

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-05-21