Thai Police Officer Arrested Over Alleged Drug Gang Leak
Thai Police Officer Arrested Over Alleged Drug Gang Leak
PHNOM PENH, 29 June 2026 — A Thai police lieutenant colonel has been arrested for allegedly leaking confidential government information to a drug trafficking network, with investigators also discovering 75 methamphetamine pills in his workplace during a subsequent search.
The arrest was announced on 28 June by the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) Region 5, which carried out the operation in cooperation with the Narcotics Suppression Bureau, Provincial Police Regions 4 and 5, and provincial police in Chiang Rai and Loei. The operation forms part of the government’s “Destroy the Cancer” campaign targeting state officials suspected of assisting drug trafficking organisations.
ONCB Secretary-General Pol Lt Gen Suriya Singhakamol said the operation supports the government’s anti-drug policy by taking decisive action against officials who facilitate or protect narcotics traffickers.
The investigation originated from major drug seizures on 17–18 and 20 May 2025, when authorities arrested seven suspects in Phan district, Chiang Rai, and confiscated 529 kilograms of ketamine believed to be destined for shipment to a third country. Assets valued at more than four million baht were initially frozen.
Investigators later traced financial transactions linked to the network and concluded that its members operated with clearly defined roles similar to those of an organised criminal group. The evidence led the court to issue arrest warrants for four additional suspects believed to be senior organisers and supporters.
On 10 August 2025, immigration officers arrested an alleged transport coordinator known as “Jae Meow” while she was entering Thailand. Authorities described her as having close links to the network’s financiers and drug owners, and seized assets worth approximately 10 million baht during that operation.
The investigation later led officers to arrest the police lieutenant colonel at his home in Wang Saphung district, Loei, on 22 June 2026. Authorities allege that he passed confidential official information to the trafficking network and helped suspects evade prosecution.
Investigators said the officer admitted the allegations after being confronted with the evidence. Officers seized assets worth more than two million baht, including cash, gold jewellery, land, a vehicle and firearms.
Khaosod reported that a follow-up search of the officer’s workplace uncovered 75 methamphetamine pills hidden inside a desk drawer. Authorities have opened a separate criminal case against him on charges of drug possession.
