Multiple caches of illicit drugs -- altogether worth more than 4.5 billion baht -- were seized during coordinated raids in November.
Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon was given a briefing about drug suppression operations that showed vast quantities of illegal substances -- more than 29 million speed pills, 132kg of crystal methamphetamine, 274kg of heroin, and marijuana, kratom and opium with a combined weight of over 10,000kg -- were seized across the country during the month of November, Maj Gen Kongcheep Tantravanich, spokesman for the Defence Ministry, said on Wednesday.
The seized drugs had a face value of more than 4.5 billion baht, and at least 12,118 drug-related arrests were made, said Maj Gen Kongcheep.
Many of the drugs had been smuggled into the country via northern and northeastern border provinces, but gangs had also smuggled narcotics by sea via southern Chumphon and Ranong provinces, the spokesman said.
Gen Prawit instructed security agencies to place more emphasis on in-depth intelligence gathering in a bid to root out the vicious circle of the drug trafficking networks.
Soldiers have been asked to take strict measures to block the influx of illicit drugs into the country via natural border passes and border checkpoints, while police and local officials have been ordered to arrest drug agents and raid venues suspected of storing illicit drugs, said Maj Gen Kongcheep.
