Mekong meth smuggling foiled in Nong Khai

2026-02-12 - 07:46

NONG KHAI — 12 February 2026, Thai authorities have seized 2.37 million methamphetamine pills allegedly smuggled across the Mekong River from Laos, officials said. The drugs, packed in seven sacks, were discovered during a late-night operation in Muang district of Nong Khai province. Suspects fled the scene, with one jumping into the Mekong River and others escaping into nearby farmland, authorities said. Rear Adm. Narong Aemdee, commander of the Mekong Riverine Unit, told a news conference at 11:00 on 12 February 2026 at the Phon Phisai boat unit that officials had received a tip-off about a planned cross-border drug shipment near Ban Duea subdistrict. He said officers were deployed to the riverbank area behind the Pak Suai tobacco station, where they observed a long-tail boat approaching from midstream at about 00:45 on 11 February 2026. The boat’s engine was cut before it was paddled to shore. Two men were seen meeting the boat. A motorcycle arrived at the scene, followed by a white Mitsubishi box truck bearing Bangkok registration plates. Officers saw two suspects carrying suspicious sacks from the boat to the truck before moving in to make arrests. One suspect jumped into the Mekong River, while another ran into a nearby agricultural area. The individual on the boat restarted the engine and sped back across the river. Officers gave chase but were unable to apprehend the suspects in the darkness. A search of the area uncovered seven sacks containing 237 packages of methamphetamine pills, each stamped with the number “999” in blue ink. Authorities said the haul totalled about 2.37 million pills. The seized drugs, along with the truck and a motorcycle found at the scene, will be handed over to investigators at Ban Duea police station for further legal proceedings, officials said. Deputy Nong Khai Governor Paitoon Mahachuenjai, Nong Khai Customs chief Wanna Phu-utsa and military and police officers also attended the news conference.