4 hours ago
16
Thai authorities accidental they person seized much than 2 metric tons of crystal methamphetamine from a tourer vessel adjacent a pier successful Eastern Thailand
BANGKOK -- Over 2 metric tons of crystal methamphetamine has been seized from a tourer vessel adjacent a pier successful Eastern Thailand earlier it was smuggled retired of the country, section authorities said Monday.
Eight men were arrested Saturday successful Rayong state for allegedly attempting to smuggle the astir 2.4 metric tons (2.6 tons) done the confederate border, officials said. They did not elaborate connected the intended destination oregon the drugs' origin.
If sold abroad, the drugs are estimated to beryllium worthy implicit 3 cardinal baht ($90.8 million), Thailand's Department of Special Investigation said.
The drugs were packed successful integrative bags disguised arsenic maize flour packages. Each contained astir 1 kilogram. Authorities said they besides seized a van and a motortruck believed to beryllium progressive successful the cause smuggling.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra thanked officials for their efforts and told a property league that “the authorities is superior astir our policies connected drugs."
United Nations experts person said neighboring Myanmar is the root of astir of the region’s methamphetamine and heroin.
A study from the U.N. cause bureau past month said the illicit commercialized successful methamphetamine and different unsafe drugs is increasing rapidly successful Southeast Asia, with a grounds level of seizures successful 2024 — 236 tons — a 24% summation implicit 2023.
The “Golden Triangle,” wherever the borders of Myanmar, Laos and Thailand meet, is celebrated for the accumulation of opium and heroin, which flourished mostly due to the fact that of the distant determination and lax instrumentality enforcement. In caller decades, methamphetamine has supplanted opium and heroin due to the fact that it is easier to marque connected an concern scale.
English (US) ·