UDON THANI, THAILAND – Police in the northeastern city dismantled an alleged drug network during a raid around a birthday party, arresting nine people and seizing 128,000 methamphetamine pills and assets worth about 2.2 million baht.
Tip-off leads to street-level operation
Police said the operation began after a tip that a man known by the nickname Frame was selling methamphetamine in Udon Thani.
Investigators then used Frame in a covert buy-and-sell operation to reach a suspected wholesaler using the alias Yai.
Courier arrested and first drugs seized
According to the account given, a 22-year-old man named Phu appeared in place of Yai to hand over the drugs and was arrested later that same evening.
Officers seized five packets of ketamine weighing 33.77 grams, twelve packets containing collagen mixtures, about 70 grams of a brown powder resembling cocaine, and a ketamine vape cartridge from him.
Sting delivery to birthday gathering
While Phu was already in custody, he received a call from Yai instructing him to deliver three more packets containing collagen and methamphetamine to a rented house in the city, according to police.
Officers posed as Phu, delivered the parcel themselves and positioned themselves near a convenience store close to the house in preparation for the raid.
Raid on rented house and drug tests
When a woman came out of the house to receive and pay for the package, officers stormed the premises and found a total of 16 men and women inside.
Police seized four more packets of ketamine weighing 5.73 grams, three packets of collagen–methamphetamine mixture and three ketamine vape pods in the house, then took everyone present to the station.
Host’s admission and initial consequences
Urine tests conducted there returned positive results for five people, while the others were released after their personal details were recorded.
The host, identified as Jay, told police the seized drugs belonged to him and had been ordered from Yai for a birthday party, but that they had not yet been consumed when officers arrived.
Trail to major shipment and further arrests
The investigation then led to a man named Ek, who was accused of distributing methamphetamine by car together with a man called Art and of maintaining contacts with foreign associates.
A search of Ek’s apartment uncovered Art along with 128,000 methamphetamine tablets, four mobile phones, a car, gold jewellery, 40,000 baht in cash and bank deposits of about 1 million baht. Both men were charged with joint possession of a Category 1 narcotic with intent to sell.
Results presented and assets detailed
The outcome of the operation was presented on 25 February at a press conference in front of the Udon Thani Provincial Police headquarters, attended by Vice-Governor Phisit Chai Apaiyagul and senior police officers.
Seized assets included several mobile phones, a white Honda City, an orange Ford Ranger registered in Bangkok, a black Honda Lead motorcycle, gold jewellery, cash and bank balances, with an estimated total value of about 2.2 million baht.