A police lieutenant colonel and nine other suspects have been arrested in a major drug trafficking crackdown following a year-long investigation, with authorities seizing or freezing assets worth more than 16 million baht.
The arrests were made during an operation conducted last week by the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) Region 5 in coordination with the Narcotics Suppression Bureau, Provincial Police Regions 4 and 5, and police in Chiang Rai and Loei provinces.
ONCB secretary-general Pol Maj Gen Suriya Singhakamol said on Tuesday the operation was launched under Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s “War on Drugs” policy, to take decisive action against state officials involved in, assisting or supporting drug trafficking networks.
The investigation stemmed from arrests on May 17, 18 and 20 last year, when authorities seized 529 kilogrammes of ketamine, a Category 2 psychotropic substance, in Phan district of Chiang Rai. The drugs were allegedly being prepared for shipment to a third country, and assets worth more than 4 million baht were initially confiscated.
Financial investigators found that the network operated with clearly defined roles resembling those of an organised crime syndicate, leading to arrest warrants for four additional suspects believed to have served in command and support roles.
Three months later, immigration officers arrested one of the alleged ringleaders upon entering Thailand. Police said the suspect directed drug shipments and maintained close ties with the drug owner and financiers. Assets worth more than 10 million baht were seized.
Last week, on June 22, investigators arrested the police lieutenant colonel at a residence in Wang Saphung district of Loei.
Authorities alleged the officer leaked confidential government information to the network and helped suspects evade prosecution. Police said the suspect initially confessed to all charges.
Assets worth more than 2 million baht, including cash, gold ornaments, land, a vehicle and firearms, were seized.
During a subsequent search of the officer’s workplace, authorities also found 75 methamphetamine pills hidden in a desk drawer, resulting in a separate drug possession charge.
The following day, officers arrested another suspect in Loei, allegedly responsible for receiving money transfers and paying transport fees for the network.
The ONCB said it will continue financial investigations to expand the crackdown on drug trafficking networks linked to the southern and western regions, warning that any state officials found involved will face both criminal prosecution and disciplinary action.