Police Bust Drug Network, Seize One Million Pills

Pictures courtesy of Daily News

Police have dismantled a major methamphetamine trafficking network known as “Nes Nawamin”, seizing around one million methamphetamine pills and arresting a key suspect, an operation authorities say has disrupted a large-scale supply route into eastern Thailand. The suspect admitted to transporting drugs on at least 10 previous occasions in exchange for payments totalling 120,000 baht per trip, underscoring the scale and persistence of the operation.

The arrest was announced at 11.00am on 9 January at the Metropolitan Police Bureau Investigation Division headquarters in Bangkok. Police detained Mr Sarawut Srisen, also known as Nes Nawamin, aged 40, from Sai Noi district in Nonthaburi, along with five sacks containing approximately 200,000 methamphetamine pills each, totalling about one million pills. Officers also seized a black Honda Freed car with Bangkok registration and two mobile phones.

Investigators said the drugs were packaged in yellow wax paper marked with the Y1 stamp and concealed in blue sacks stored at the rear of the vehicle. Mr Sarawut was arrested at a toll plaza at Lat Krabang, outbound on Highway 7, in Bang Sao Thong district, Samut Prakan, after police intercepted the vehicle shortly after midnight on 7 January.

According to Pol Maj Gen Chotiwat Lueangwilai, commander of the Investigation Division, officers had been tracking drug networks operating in Bangkok and surrounding provinces. Intelligence indicated that methamphetamine was being smuggled from multiple provinces into the capital before being distributed onward to eastern provinces, using the seized Honda Freed which was frequently seen in Soi Nawamin 75, Bueng Kum district.

Police said the suspect collected drugs from areas near provincial borders including Ayutthaya, Nonthaburi, Ratchaburi and Phetchaburi before bringing them into Bangkok. On 6 January at around 9.00pm, officers observed the suspect’s vehicle leaving Soi Nawamin 75 and travelling towards the Ratchaburi–Phetchaburi border, with Rayong identified as the intended destination.

During questioning, Mr Sarawut confessed that he had been hired by an employer based in eastern Thailand, whose identity police say is already known to investigators. He stated he was paid 120,000 baht for this delivery and had carried out similar jobs around 10 times, sometimes involving smaller quantities. Police believe the Y1-branded pills, described as “long-tail Y”, originated from northeastern Thailand.

Daily News reported that authorities have charged the suspect with possession of a Category 1 narcotic, methamphetamine, with intent to sell for commercial purposes, an offence considered to threaten public safety and national security. Investigators said further inquiries are under way to pursue other members of the network and the alleged employer.

Key Takeaways

• Police seized about one million methamphetamine pills and arrested a 40-year-old suspect linked to the “Nes Nawamin” network.

• The suspect admitted to transporting drugs around 10 times, receiving 120,000 baht for the latest delivery.

• Authorities believe the drugs originated in northeastern Thailand and were destined for eastern provinces.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now from Dailynews 26-01-11