Thai Police Intercept 2 Tonnes of Meth Bound for Koh Samui
Thai Police Intercept 2 Tonnes of Meth Bound for Koh Samui
BANGKOK, April 11, 2026 — Thai police have seized nearly two tonnes of crystal methamphetamine and arrested four suspects in Bangkok, disrupting a major trafficking network that planned to transport the drugs to southern Thailand by ferry, authorities said.
The 1,970-kilogram haul was intercepted at a petrol station on Rat Burana Road before it could be loaded onto a ferry bound for Koh Samui in Surat Thani province.
Senior officials, including Deputy National Police Chief Pol Gen Samran Nuanma, said the seizure represents a significant blow to an established drug network operating across central and southern Thailand.
Police identified the suspects as four Thai men aged between 25 and 37. Two vehicles — a box truck and a van — believed to have been used in the operation were also seized.
Investigators said the group was part of a Prachin Buri-based network that smuggled large quantities of drugs using coordinated transport methods, including scout vehicles to avoid checkpoints.
The methamphetamine was sourced from Lop Buri, stored temporarily in Prachin Buri, and then moved to Bangkok before the planned transfer to southern provinces.
Authorities said traffickers intended to exploit ferry transport systems by booking vehicle space at the last minute, while separately flying to Surat Thani to retrieve the shipment and distribute it further south.
Police added that drug networks have increasingly shifted to maritime routes after intensified enforcement along major highways.
One suspect reportedly admitted to carrying out multiple deliveries, earning about 100,000 baht per trip.
Officials said the suspects have been handed over to the Narcotics Suppression Bureau, and investigations are ongoing to identify higher-level figures behind the operation.
Ferry operators said the case has prompted an immediate review of security procedures, particularly during peak travel periods, to prevent similar smuggling attempts.
