Police Seize 900 Tonnes of Drug Precursors in Crackdown

Picture courtesy of Daily News

Police have intensified efforts to disrupt transnational drug networks, seizing more than 900 tonnes of chemical precursors and cutting off materials capable of producing an estimated 950 million methamphetamine tablets. The crackdown was announced at a meeting held at the Royal Thai Police headquarters at 1.30pm on 30 January, underscoring a shift towards targeting supply chains rather than only finished drugs.

The operation brings together the Royal Thai Police, the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB), the Customs Department and several other agencies to strengthen controls on chemicals that can be diverted into illicit drug production. Authorities say tighter monitoring of imports, exports and transport is critical to reducing the flow of narcotics in Thailand.

Despite years of large-scale drug seizures, methamphetamine and other narcotics have continued to enter and spread across the country. Investigations revealed that five key chemical substances, legally imported for industrial use, were being diverted and transported onward to neighbouring countries for drug manufacturing.

Pol Lt Gen Somprasong Yenthuam, Assistant National Police Chief and Deputy Director of the Police Narcotics Suppression Centre, said the chemicals were lawfully imported but later smuggled across borders in the North, East and upper Northeast. He said these substances fall under the Hazardous Substances Act 1992 and require strict control over their movement and authorised use.

Customs Department Director-General Phanthong Loykulnunt said Thailand imports large volumes of these chemicals for legitimate industry, complicating enforcement. He confirmed that more than 4,000 kilograms have already been seized in criminal cases and said agencies must now closely track transport routes and declared purposes of use.

During the 2025 fiscal year, the Royal Thai Police recorded five major precursor suppression cases involving multiple chemicals. Seized substances included 317.09 tonnes of toluene, 352.58 tonnes of acetone, 97.2 tonnes of hydrobromic acid, 169.56 tonnes of methylamine and one tonne of methyl ethyl ketone.

Authorities said toluene and acetone alone could have been used to produce more than 950 million methamphetamine tablets if they had reached drug syndicates. Officials stressed that stopping precursors upstream can significantly reduce the volume of drugs later smuggled into Thailand.

Agencies agreed on six joint measures, including expanding the controlled chemicals list, integrating transport monitoring, tightening import and export rules, and imposing special controls in border provinces such as Tak, Chiang Rai and Kanchanaburi. Plans also include upgrading information systems and modernising laws, enforcement powers and penalties.

DailynNews reported that police said intelligence sharing and coordinated operations will continue, and urged the public to report drug-related information via emergency number 191, hotline 1599 or local police stations. Officials said effective precursor control would lead to a tangible reduction in drug inflows.

Key Takeaways

• Thai authorities seized more than 900 tonnes of chemical precursors in the 2025 fiscal year.

• The chemicals could have produced an estimated 950 million methamphetamine tablets.

• Agencies will tighten legal, technological and border controls to prevent diversion.

Adapted by ASEAN Now from Dailynews 2026-02-01