Eight alleged drug suspects were arrested in several provinces nationwide with more than two million speed pills and nearly 15kg of crystal meth in their possession, following a police crackdown on a major drug trafficking ring, police say.
Police named the suspects as Mafee Suriwong, 50, of Bangkok, and Surat Thani locals Sakkarin Keawamphai, 28, Wirat Boonrod, 31, Prajong Pueknang, 53, Pattana Kenngeon, 39, and Thaleungsak Roomjit, 46. Myanmar nationals Zinmeesor Manor, 35, and Tintinyor, 57, were also arrested.
The eight suspects were taken before the media Tuesday at the Narcotics Suppression Bureau (NSB).
In the nationwide raid that spanned different provinces, authorities confiscated a total 2,306,000 amphetamine pills or ya ba, 14.8kg of crystal meth or ya ice and 21 other items, including an unlicensed 9mm pistol, seven 9mm bullets, a holster, two sedans, a van and 10 mobile phones.
The operation came after the NSB's Division 5 received a tip-off that the two Myanmar suspects planned to smuggle the narcotics from the northern region and deliver them to Mr Prajong in Bangkok.
The dealers planned to keep the drugs in Bangkok and its surrounding provinces until they were to be distributed to customers.
According to the preliminary police probe, Mr Prajong had ordered Mr Pattana to manage the gang's drug trade and supervise trafficking, police said.
Mr Mafee is also responsible for holding drugs at secret locations and selling them to clients, they said.
Police investigation teams tracked Mr Mafee until early morning on Sunday, when they searched his vehicle and found 300,000 speed pills.
Police decided to expand the probe and raided his house at the Manthira housing estate, where they say they uncovered a further 2,006,000 speed pills and 11kg of ya ice.
They then searched his second house in Keha Thani 4 housing estate, where officers say they seized another 3.8kg of crystal meth.
Mr Mafee allegedly confessed, leading to the arrest of Mr Prajong in Chiang Rai's Muang district and Mr Pattana in Nonthaburi's Pak Kret district.
Police hunted down Mr Sakkarin and Mr Wirat, who were due to obtain the amphetamine pills from Mr Mafee at the car park of the Ram Intra branch of Tesco Lotus in Bangkok, they said.
Both men allegedly told police that after receiving the drugs from Mr Mafee, they planned to give them to Mr Thaleungsak, who was arrested on Soi Vibhavadi 64 in Bangkok.
Mr Mafee said Ms Zinmeesor and Ms Tintinyor wanted to purchase 1kg of crystal meth from him.
The suspects face varying charges, including possession of crystal meth and amphetamine pills with the intent to sell.
Police filed an additional charge against Mr Mafee for possessing unlicensed firearms and ammunition.