NAKHON SI THAMMARAT: A major drug suspect has been arrested and almost one million speed pills and four kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine worth 53.5 million baht seized in Muang and Ron Phibun districts.
A special police task force and local police arrested Uthai Maiyaem, known as “Men Tha Phaya”, 38, of Pak Phanang distict, at a hotel in tambon Pak Nakhon in Muang district on Thursday. Some drugs were seized at the scene.
Police then extended the investigation that led to the seizure of more drugs in tambon Hin Tok in Ron Phibun district on Saturday, said Pol Maj Gen Nanthadet Yoinuan, deputy commander of Provincial Police Region 8.
A total of 990,800 speed pills and 4kg of crystal methamphetamine, worth about 53.5 million baht, were seized from the two locations.
During the interrogation, Mr Uthai admitted he was a major trafficker in Nakhon Si Thammarat, police said. He told them that the drugs came from northern Thailand, usually about 1 million speed pills and 20kg of crystal meth per shipment. He had sold some drugs before the police raid, officers said.
Pol Maj Gen Nanthadet said police were also in the process of confiscating assets worth about 20 million baht from the suspect.
