A suspect has been arrested with 1.5 million speed pills, firearms, a million baht in cash and other assets seized in Thung Song district of this southern province, authorities said on Thursday.
The arrest took place at a house in tambon Na Luang Sen of Thung Song district, provincial governor Somchai Leelanoi said at a media briefing on Thursday. The suspect has been identified only as Manee, 42.
In addition to the speed pills, authorities seized three firearms, more than one million baht in cash, a pickup truck with Nakhon Si Thammarat licence plates and other items.
Investigators said officers were acting on a tip-off from an informant that members of a drug trafficking network were staying at the house and preparing to move a large shipment of narcotics.
When officers arrived, they found the suspect standing beside the pickup truck. Upon noticing the police, he fled on foot but was apprehended after a brief chase.
A search of the pickup uncovered a large quantity of speed pills, while a subsequent search of the house uncovered additional drugs, bringing the total seizure to 1.56 million pills.
The suspect has been charged with possessing a Category 1 narcotic with intent to sell.
Police said the investigation would be expanded to identify and arrest other members of the trafficking network.
The provincial governor said the seizure was the largest made in Nakhon Si Thammarat during the government’s 90-day anti-drug campaign, which has mobilised agencies across the province to intensify narcotics suppression efforts.
Mr Somchai said Nakhon Si Thammarat ranked first nationwide last year in drug-related arrests and asset seizures, with authorities confiscating assets worth 227 million baht from drug suspects.
From January to July this year, assets worth 148 million baht have already been seized, he said.