Picture courtesy of Naewna.

 

One of the key suspects in a notorious drug smuggling ring responsible for transporting narcotics into Thailand from a neighbouring country, valued at over 400 million baht, has been apprehended by police.

 

Acting on orders from Police Lieutenant General Jiraphop Phuridej, Commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), officers from the Crime Suppression Division (CSD), led by Police Major General Wittaya Sriprasertphap, conducted the operation. The arrest was carried out by a task force from Subdivision 4 of the CSD.

 

The suspect, 19-year-old Peeraphat, was detained on an outstanding arrest warrant issued by the Juvenile and Family Court of Nong Khai Province (Warrant No. 19/2565, dated 3 November 2022). He faces multiple serious charges, including conspiring to import Category 1 narcotics, methamphetamine and MDMA (ecstasy), into the Kingdom, possessing and distributing these substances with the intent to sell, as well as offences related to the trafficking of Category 2 psychotropic substances, notably ketamine.

 

Peeraphat was arrested at a sandpit extraction site in Moo 12, Khao Hin Son sub-district, Phanom Sarakham district, Chachoengsao province.

 

The arrest follows a May 2022 operation in which police received intelligence indicating a planned smuggling run of illegal drugs across the Mekong River into Nong Khai province. Surveillance led officers to intercept a suspicious motorboat at the riverbank. Two men were seen unloading large sacks from the vessel. When approached, they fled into the Mekong, abandoning the cargo.

 

Despite the attempted escape, police were able to arrest both individuals, 19-year-old Anon and 25-year-old Watchara, both residents of Udon Thani, near the scene.

 

A search of the sacks revealed a staggering haul: approximately 5,080,000 methamphetamine tablets, ecstasy in both pill and powder form, ketamine and cannabis, with an estimated street value exceeding 393 million baht.

 

During questioning, the detainees admitted to being paid couriers for the narcotics syndicate, which was said to consist of at least 14 members. One of the named participants who evaded capture at the time was Peeraphat, now finally brought into custody on 23 July 2025.

 

Upon arrest, Peeraphat confessed to working as a smuggler, ferrying drugs from the neighbouring country into Thailand, before they were distributed further inland and then exported to third countries. He claimed he was hired by unknown individuals and had no knowledge of the broader network.

 

Peeraphat has been handed over to investigators at Sangkhom Police Station in Nong Khai province for formal legal proceedings. Police investigations into the wider drug trafficking network are ongoing.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Naewna 2025-07-26

 

 

 

400 million baht ! 

These guys don't play around  with small numbers !