Police Region 5 has announced the arrest of 10 suspects linked to five drug trafficking cases, with authorities seizing more than 21 million methamphetamine pills and 320 kilogrammes of crystal meth. The operations, revealed on 23 March 2026, also resulted in the confiscation of six cars and three motorcycles. The crackdown highlights the scale of narcotics trafficking in northern Thailand. Get today's headlines by email The announcement was made by Pol Lt Gen Kritthaphon Yeesakhon, Commissioner of Provincial Police Region 5, alongside senior officers and local officials including Phrae Deputy Governor Khunakon Khachahiran. The cases were carried out across Chiang Rai, Lampang and Phrae provinces, involving coordinated efforts by multiple police stations. Authorities detailed each case as part of ongoing suppression operations targeting drug networks in the region. Picture courtesy of Khaosod In the first case, Chiang Khong police in Chiang Rai arrested five suspects and seized 7,000,000 methamphetamine pills, along with one car and three motorcycles. The second case saw Wiang Chai police in Chiang Rai confiscate 3,502,000 methamphetamine pills. In Lampang, Sop Prap police arrested three suspects and seized 320 kilogrammes of crystal meth and three cars in the third case. The fourth case involved Mae Phrik police in Lampang, who arrested two suspects and seized 2,500,000 methamphetamine pills and two cars. In the fifth case, Song police in Phrae seized 8,000,000 methamphetamine pills. In total, the five operations led to 10 arrests and the confiscation of significant quantities of narcotics and vehicles used in trafficking. Authorities said the arrests form part of intensified efforts to disrupt major drug distribution networks operating in the upper northern region. The scale of the seizures indicates continued trafficking activity along known routes, with police maintaining pressure through coordinated enforcement. Khaosod reported that officials are expected to expand investigations to identify additional members of the trafficking networks and trace the origins and distribution channels of the drugs. Further arrests may follow as evidence from the seized materials and suspects is analysed. Police have reaffirmed their commitment to ongoing suppression operations to curb narcotics flow in the region. AQMMkTv_ZC0VMfEl8WHUYwN958hcanamgSr3i00WDxqTpsWs-GAeYnSKC_KfZJQloDgIqamwdi-xOPJjfIk0dBHvrUItdwDCjBFMMW6kjg.mp4 Related stories Border-patrol-police-seize-4m-meth-pills-in-Mukdahan-raid British-man-64-arrested-over-cocaine-sales-in-Bangkok Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now Khaosod 24 Mar 2026
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