Five held after 528kg ice seizure in Chaiyaphum

Five people have been arrested after authorities seized around 528 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine, known locally as ice, in Chaiyaphum province on 3 August.

The drugs, said to be worth more than 50 million baht, were allegedly being transported from Tha Li district in Loei to Wang Noi district of Ayutthaya.

Suspect vehicle stopped in Muang district

The operation was part of Chaiyaphum's "Phaya Lae City Protection" measures and its 90-day anti-drugs campaign. Governor Anan Narkniyom, deputy governor Thongchai Olarphattanachai, provincial chief administrative officer Worasit Phutjeeb and Muang Chaiyaphum district chief Dech Sanaokham had ordered continued action against drug networks.

Dech said local officials were alerted by the Non Samran subdistrict headman and central Narcotics Control Board officers, who had been tracking a suspected drug vehicle travelling from Loei.

Picture courtesy of kaoded

He requested support from Chaiyaphum's Territorial Defence Volunteer force. Security officer Sergeant Major Phongrawee Yuangsuwan then led volunteers from Company 2, Muang Chaiyaphum district, alongside central narcotics police and officers from Ban Khai Police Station.

At Ban Don Khwang in Non Samran subdistrict, Muang Chaiyaphum district, officers found a white Nissan X-Trail with Udon Thani registration plates.

Inside were 18 sacks containing Chinese tea bags used to conceal the drugs. Officials said the sacks contained almost one-kilogramme bags of ice, with 30 bags in each sack, totalling approximately 528kg.

Two suspects found hiding in sugarcane field

Three suspects alleged to have acted as lead-car drivers were initially detained. Two others, believed to have been driving the drug vehicle, abandoned it and fled into the Ban Don Khwang area, prompting concern among local residents.

Provincial security officials, Territorial Defence Volunteers, Ban Khai police, village headmen and village security teams were deployed in a wide search. At 9.30am, officers said they surrounded and arrested both fugitives while they were hiding in a sugarcane field in Ban Don Khwang.

All five suspects are from Udon Thani province, according to the initial investigation. Authorities described them as part of a major drug network.

The suspects allegedly admitted they had been hired to transport the drugs for 500,000 baht. They were charged with importing and causing the spread of a Category 1 narcotic, and were handed over with the evidence to Narcotics Suppression Bureau investigators for legal action and further investigation into the network.

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4 August 2026

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