ONCB Dismantles Opium Plots in Nan Worth 5.4m Baht

Pictures courtesy of Daily News

Authorities have dismantled a large-scale illegal opium cultivation operation in a remote mountainous area of Nan province, seizing fresh opium and destroying plantations across more than seven acres. The operation removed crop valued at more than 5.4 million baht, according to the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB). Officials said the action cut off a key source of dangerous narcotics at the production stage before the drugs could reach communities.

The crackdown took place in Ban Doi Tiw, also known as Doi Khat, in Tha Wang Pha district, Nan province. Authorities confirmed that 27 opium plots covering a total area of 7.25 rai were found and eradicated, with 20 kilograms of fresh opium seized as evidence. The operation followed an earlier identification of suspicious land plots through satellite analysis.

The ONCB reported on 9 January that illegal opium cultivation in hard-to-reach areas remains a top priority due to its role as a primary source of serious narcotics. In response, the agency has shifted from traditional foot patrols to a data-driven strategy that integrates geographic information systems and satellite imagery. This approach addresses long-standing challenges linked to difficult terrain, limited access and resource constraints.

Through its Survey and Control Institute of Narcotic Plants, the ONCB analysed satellite data to identify anomalies in suspected cultivation zones. In the Doi Khat area alone, 52 plots were initially flagged as irregular. Precise coordinates were then shared with Border Patrol Police Company 325 to support coordinated field operations with local administrative authorities and other agencies.

On 7 January 2026, joint teams moved in to verify the data on the ground. Investigations confirmed that 27 of the flagged plots were being used to illegally grow opium poppies, while the remaining areas were found to be abandoned land or used for other forms of agriculture. All confirmed opium plots were destroyed on site, and the seized opium was taken as evidence.

Officials said the results demonstrate the effectiveness of using technology to pre-screen targets before deploying personnel. By narrowing down genuine cultivation sites, authorities were able to act quickly and reduce unnecessary patrols in non-relevant areas. The ONCB described the operation as a strategic example of intercepting narcotics at their source to curb wider drug distribution.

Daily News reported that the ONCB said it will continue to refine its satellite-based monitoring and expand cooperation with security forces and local agencies. Further inspections are expected in other high-risk and remote areas, with the aim of sustaining long-term suppression of narcotic crop cultivation nationwide.

Key Takeaways

• Authorities destroyed 27 illegal opium plots covering 7.25 rai in Nan province.

• Twenty kilograms of fresh opium were seized, preventing losses valued at over 5.4 million baht.

• Satellite imagery and geographic data played a central role in guiding the operation.

Adapted by ASEAN Now from Dailynews 2026-01-11