Crime Couple Arrested with 8 Million Meth Pills Hidden in Lorry

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of Daily News.

 

Police in Lampang have arrested a husband and wife after discovering eight million methamphetamine pills concealed in a secret compartment of their six-wheel lorry. The woman was holding her baby in an apparent attempt to allay suspicion at a checkpoint.

 

The vehicle was stopped on 24 August at a drug checkpoint in Mae Phrik district, Lampang, on the Phahonyothin Road heading south towards Tak. Officers noticed the lorry, marked with the logo of a private company, behaving suspiciously as it approached. The driver, identified as 30-year-old Mr Theerawat from Kui Buri, Prachuap Khiri Khan, appeared nervous when questioned, claiming he was transporting bottled water from Chiang Rai to the South.

 

Police ordered an inspection and used an x-ray scanner to examine the vehicle. They found a hidden compartment built inside the lorry’s cargo box. A detailed search revealed 28 camouflage sacks packed with methamphetamine tablets, totalling eight million pills.

 

During questioning, Theerawat admitted he had been hired by a southern-based drug syndicate to transport the shipment. He said he was paid 100,000 baht to drive from Surat Thani to Chiang Rai, collect the drugs, and disguise the compartment by loading cases of bottled water on top. He also admitted he had brought along his 19-year-old wife, Ms Sunisa and their infant to mislead officers into believing it was a family journey. He insisted his wife had no knowledge of the drugs, but police remain unconvinced.

 

Both suspects have been charged with possession of a Category 1 narcotic (methamphetamine) with intent to distribute. They were handed over to Mae Phrik police investigators along with the seized drugs. Authorities say they will continue the investigation to trace the southern financiers behind the smuggling operation.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Daily News 2025-08-26