Over 1,000kg of Drugs Seized in Nong Khai Operation

Pictures courtesy of Khaosod 

Security forces in Nong Khai seized more than 1,000 kilograms of illicit drugs on 5 December 2025 in one of the region’s largest recent interceptions, stopping a pickup truck allegedly transporting crystal methamphetamine and ketamine destined for southern Thailand. The haul, valued at over 150 million baht, was confiscated during a coordinated operation involving military, police, customs and provincial officials. A 28-year-old suspect was arrested at the scene.

The seizure was announced at 13:30 at the Second Control Headquarters of the Surasak Montri Task Force in Mueang district. Nong Khai Governor Saran Saksri Kruenet, Provincial Police Commander Pol Maj Gen Atthachon Chuangngam, and senior military officers including Col Rewat Thamjiradet and Col Udomkarn Srikhaitrai jointly presented the case. Authorities displayed 889 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine packed in tea-branded plastic bags and stored in 22 sacks, alongside 200 kilograms of ketamine packed in five sacks, all found inside a sealed Nissan Navara pickup with Bangkok registration.

Officials also recovered a large tiger hide concealed with the drugs. The total estimated value of the narcotics was 150,460,000 baht, with the crystal meth worth over 124 million baht and the ketamine valued at 26 million baht. Officers stated that the contraband was tightly loaded in the storage compartment of the truck, which was driven solely by the suspect, identified as Khomsan.

The operation followed intelligence gathered by Border Surveillance Unit 21 and the Task Force’s Intelligence Operation Team 3, warning that drug trafficking groups planned to move narcotics from a neighbouring country across the Mekong River between 1 and 5 December. Military, police and administrative units coordinated to monitor likely transport routes and intercept suspected vehicles. The surveillance effort intensified along Highway 212 and surrounding roads in Mueang district.

At around 03:20 on 5 December, officers spotted the suspected truck departing the Ban Bon water pumping station area in Hat Kham subdistrict. The vehicle was tracked and later stopped near the entrance to Ban Dong Wen in Seekai subdistrict, where authorities conducted a search and detained the driver. The drugs and tiger hide were subsequently seized and transported for evidence processing.

Khoasod reported that authorities say initial questioning indicates the shipment was intended for distribution in southern Thailand, though the suspect reportedly provided limited information. Investigators are now expanding the probe to identify other members of the network, the source of the narcotics, and possible links to cross-border trafficking operations. Further operations are expected as officials work to disrupt the wider supply chain.

Key Takeaways

• Security forces in Nong Khai seized 889kg of crystal meth and 200kg of ketamine worth over 150 million baht.

• A pickup truck carrying the drugs and a tiger hide was stopped after intelligence-led surveillance.

• Investigators are expanding the probe to track the trafficking network and its southern delivery route.

Related Stories

Clashes-in-Chiang-Rai-nets-over-31-million-meth-pills

Military-seizes-nearly-200000-meth-pills-on-Mekong-river

 Adapted  by  Asean Now from  Khaosod 2025-12-06