Half-Tonne of Crystal Meth Seized Off Phuket Coast

Pictures courtesy of Naewna

Anti-narcotics officers and the navy seized over 500 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine on a passenger vessel off Phuket, disrupting a trafficking operation intended to deliver the drugs to a third country, Indonesia. Four suspects were arrested and one died after jumping into the sea during the operation. Authorities also recovered a mobile phone containing crucial evidence.

The seizure, announced on 29 September by Pol Lt Gen Panuwat Lakboon, Secretary-General of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB), included 502 kilograms of crystal meth and 600 grams of ketamine hidden in the ship’s compartment. The vessel, flying a Thai flag, was intercepted near Ao Chalong pier in the Andaman Sea. A follow-up raid on three houses linked to the suspects in Ranong province uncovered assets worth 5 million baht.

Officials explained that smugglers have increasingly turned to maritime routes after intensified border security in Kanchanaburi, northern Thailand and the northeast. Major narcotics networks are currently based in Myanmar and Laos and ASEAN countries are being urged to strengthen cooperation against drug trafficking.

According to Mr. Prinn Mekhanan, ONCB’s Director of Drug Suppression, the case began with naval intelligence in September revealing a plan to transport drugs to Indonesia. A suspicious Thai vessel, originating from Ranong, was spotted loitering off Ao Chalong with irregular behaviour among its crew. When intercepted, investigators found vacuum packaging machines, handheld sack stitchers and large numbers of empty bags for drug packing.

Further inquiries revealed the vessel had collected about one tonne of crystal meth in 40 sacks near Kawthaung, Myanmar, transported by a longtail boat manned by two Myanmar nationals. Twenty sacks, around 500 kilograms, were later handed over by speedboat in Satun waters, while the remaining drugs were kept on board for shipment towards Indonesia. Bad weather delayed the transfer, forcing the boat to remain at Ao Chalong, where it was ultimately intercepted.

Authorities reported that in 2025, six maritime drug seizures in Thai waters alone yielded 7.3 tonnes of crystal meth. Regionally, nine cases in Southeast Asian international waters involved 18.1 tonnes of crystal meth and 3.4 tonnes of ketamine, with destinations including the Philippines, Taiwan, Australia, Indonesia and Malaysia.

Key Takeaways

• Authorities seized 502 kg of crystal meth and 600 g of ketamine from a vessel off Phuket.

• Four suspects were arrested and one died during the operation, with further raids in Ranong seizing assets.

• Officials warn maritime trafficking is rising, with drugs bound for Southeast Asian and Pacific destinations.

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  Adapted by Asean Now from Naewna 2025-09-30