CHIANG RAI: Security authorities killed two suspected drug smugglers near the mountainous border in Muang district late Monday night and seized 2.7 million speed pills and 60 kilogrammes of crystal meth.
Responding to a tip on the drug smuggling, a group of police and soldiers found about 20 men walking on a trail down from Doi Nang Lae mountain to a local road in Ban Bo Thong village of tambon Tha Sud.
When the authorities ordered the men to stop for a search, they opened fire. The gunfight last about 20 minutes and some grenades were also used.
After the clash, the authorities found the body of a man aged 25-30 with a loaded pistol and many sacks containing about 2.69 million speed pills, 60kg of "ice" and six packs of heroin.
The authorities found another body in the same area on Tuesday morning and were hunting for other suspects believed to be injured.
The dead had yet to be identified as they had no ID documents. Officials said that drug smugglers walked on the trail towards a local road to avoid checkpoints on Phahon Yothin Highway in Mae Chan district.
