Combined government forces seized 35 guns, 1,041 rounds of assorted ammunition and 265 methemphatamine pills in simultaneous raids on 80 targets in Nakhon Si Thammarat province on Sunday morning, police said.
About 1,000 officials comprising police and soldiers from the 41st Army Circle were divided into 80 teams. They were transported by two police helicopters and 48 vehicles to the 80 targets in Pak Phanang, Cha-uat, Thung Song, Chian Yai, Nop Phitam, Tha Sala, Phipun, Muang, Ron Phibun and Chulabhorn districts.
The targets were residences of influential persons, local politicians and local government leaders.
The operation, launched under initiatives by police chief Pol Gen Somyot Pumpanmuang, was intended to eradicate illegal weapons widely used for crimes in Nakhon Si Thammarat and other illegal items.
The troops seized 21 handguns, one rifle, 13 shotguns, 1,041 rounds of assorted ammunition and 265 speed pills.