Local authorities in Thailand have reported the seizure of over two metric tons of crystal methamphetamine from a tourist boat in Eastern Thailand. The illicit cargo was intercepted before it was smuggled beyond the country’s borders.
Eight men were apprehended this Saturday in the Rayong province for allegedly attempting to smuggle nearly 2.4 metric tons of the drug through the southern border. The officials, however, have not disclosed the intended destination or the origin of these drugs.
The seized drugs, if sold abroad, are estimated to be worth over 3 billion baht, which is approximately $90.8 million, as stated by Thailand’s Department of Special Investigation. The drugs were meticulously packaged in plastic bags, disguised as packages of corn flour, each containing about one kilogram. In addition to the drugs, authorities also seized a van and a truck, believed to be instrumental in the smuggling operation.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has publicly lauded the officials for their efforts and has reiterated the government’s stern stance on drug policies.
This development follows earlier reports that neighboring Myanmar is the main source of most of the region’s methamphetamine and heroin, according to United Nations experts. A recent report from the U.N. drug agency revealed that the illicit trade in methamphetamine and other dangerous drugs is escalating in Southeast Asia, with record-breaking seizures in 2024 amounting to 236 tons, a 24% surge from the previous year.
The ‘Golden Triangle,’ where Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand converge, is infamous for its production of opium and heroin, and has seen a shift in recent decades. Methamphetamine has now supplanted opium and heroin, as it is easier to manufacture on an industrial scale.
In conclusion, this underscores the persistent global issue of drug trafficking and the commendable efforts of authorities to curb it.
