Two Arrested as Police Seize 65m-Baht Haul in Ayutthaya

Pictures courtesy of Daily News

Police have dismantled a narcotics network linked to the “Yui Tha Ruea,” network, seizing more than 65 million baht worth of drugs in Ayutthaya on 12 December 2025. Officers recovered 2.7 million methamphetamine pills, 222 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine and 28 kilograms of ketamine, along with multiple vehicles used for distribution. Two suspects were arrested for operating from a house in Tha Ruea District, where a luxury van equipped with automatic number-plate switching and signal-jamming devices was used to transport the drugs.

The operation was led at Tha Ruea Police Station by senior officers including Pol Lt Gen Wathana Yichin, Commissioner of Provincial Police Region 1, alongside regional police commanders, provincial officials, and the Office of the Narcotics Control Board Region 1. Investigations expanded from earlier arrests of associates of Norrasmin “Yui” Ruangrot, a major drug suspect wanted on outstanding warrants and believed to be hiding in a neighbouring country. Intelligence indicated that large quantities of narcotics were being moved into Saraburi and Ayutthaya using modified luxury vans before being stored in a property in Moo 7, Cham Pa Subdistrict.

Police found that traffickers removed all van seats to maximise storage space and installed an automated number-plate switching system to avoid suspicion during transit. Officers also discovered devices designed to block mobile phone and GPS signals, preventing tracking by law enforcement. The network used a secondary team to distribute narcotics by car and motorcycle, placing consignments at predetermined spots such as power poles and rubbish bins, with no direct communication between buyers and couriers.

Two suspects, Nopparat (alias Ae), aged 32, of Ban Mo District in Saraburi, and Siriporn (alias Nueng), aged 42, of Tha Ruea District in Ayutthaya, were arrested at the property alongside the seized drugs and vehicles. Police said the haul represented a substantial blow to the network and could have caused significant harm had the drugs reached the street market. Further investigations are now underway, including moves to seize assets linked to all members of the trafficking operation.

The background of Norrasmin “Yui Tha Ruea” Ruangrot reveals a longtime criminal trajectory, beginning with a murder conviction at age 14. After serving multiple prison sentences and working as a contracted gunman, he became involved with major narcotics groups and later operated as a drug supplier. He remains wanted on major narcotics charges and is believed to be directing the network remotely from abroad.

Daily News reported that police said they will continue expanding the investigation to dismantle the remaining structure of the network, focusing on financial tracing, asset seizure, and identifying cross-border suppliers. Authorities expect additional arrests as they analyse communications, equipment, and intelligence gathered from the raid. The Provincial Police Region 1 leadership emphasised that ongoing cooperation between regional forces, military intelligence, and narcotics suppression agencies will continue around the clock to prevent further trafficking.

Key Takeaways

• Police seized methamphetamine, crystal methamphetamine, and ketamine worth more than 65 million baht from the Yui Tha Ruea network.

• The traffickers used luxury vans with automated number-plate switching and signal-jamming devices to evade police detection.

• Investigations continue to target associates, seize assets, and track the fugitive leader operating from a neighbouring country.

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 Adapted by Asean Now from Dailynews 2025-12-13