Army seizes 1.6 million meth pills in sacks abandoned near Thailand- Laos border
The Thai army seized over a million meth pills in sacks abandoned near the Thailand–Laos border.
The Mekong Riverine Unit seized the sacks of drugs while patrolling in Chiang Rai, Thailand, on November 4 at 8pm.
The unit was observing the area when officers discovered eight green straw sacks in a suspicious location, each containing 200,000 methamphetamine pills, or around 1.6 million in total.
They coordinated with rangers, the Marine Police Division, Border Patrol Police, local authorities and Chiang Khong Customs House to inspect and secure the illegal haul.
No offenders or additional illicit items were found.
The seized evidence was handed over to Wiang Kaen Police Station for legal proceedings and further investigation to identify and apprehend the suspects.
Major General Sathit Waiyanon, commander of the Pha Muang Task Force, said: ‘From October 1, 2026, to date, the Pha Muang Task Force has recorded a total of 44 drug interception operations, resulting in the arrest of 41 suspects and the seizure of more than 25 million methamphetamine tablets, 1,875.7 pounds (850.8 kilograms) of crystal methamphetamine, 225.8 pounds (102.4 kilograms) of heroin and 306 pounds (139 kilograms) of ketamine.
‘The Pha Muang Task Force remains committed to intensifying interdiction and suppression measures along the border.'
Thailand has become a notorious hub for drug use, production, and trafficking. In the north of the country, the ‘Golden Triangle' area shares borders with Laos and Myanmar, and has produced large amounts of opium since the 1950s but focus in recent years has shifted to the more profitable methamphetamine.
Officials believe most of the meth is produced in the Shan State of Myanmar before being distributed through neighbouring countries where prices are higher before ending up in the most expensive markets of Australia, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Singapore.
However, cracking down on drug production has been complicated by the influx of crime gangs from China and the Burmese civil war, which has seen the army take over the country - along with control of lucrative drugs chains.
