The Office of Narcotics Control Board police have seized over 66 million baht (US$1.9 million) of assets and arrested 4 people in Northern Thailand linked to a transnational drug syndicate in Myanmar’s Shan State.
Justice Minister Pol. Lt. Col. Thawee Sodsong told a press briefing that the seizure and arrests come after Lt. Col. Ja Lo Bo, former deputy commander of the 171st Military Control Command of the Southern Wa State (UWSA), and Mr. Wira Muenjada who were arrested in March 2024, with 309 kg of crystal methamphetamine and 230 kg of heroin.
Pol. Lt. Col. Thawee said that after that arrest, ONCB investigators were able to track down associates of Lt. Col. Lo Bo’s arrest warrants issued by the Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai Provincial Courts.
He said that armed with arrest warrants, ONCB officials, along with Provincial and local police, arrested four people, one of whom is the brother of a provincial assemblyman in the border district of Chiang Mai.
The police
task force raided properties in Mueang Chiang Rai District, Mae Lao District, Chiang Rai, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Fang District, Mae Ai District, Chai Prakan District, and Chiang Mai Province.
They seized assets related to drug offenses, including 20 real estate plots worth approximately 61,450,000 baht, 16 bank accounts worth approximately 472,000 baht, 6 vehicles worth approximately 3 million baht, cash worth approximately 210,000 baht, 7 gold items worth approximately 570,000 baht, and 10 other assets worth approximately 400,000 baht, for a total value of 66,102,000 baht.
Pol. Lt. Col. Thawee also mentioned that the ONCB police work closely with ASEAN countries and China to suppress drugs and jointly take down manufacturers and distributors. Drug enforcement agencies in all countries are working to track down these individuals and bring them to justice.
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Geoff Thomas is an award winning journalist known for his sharp insights and no-nonsense reporting style. Over the years he has worked for Reuters and the Canadian Press covering everything from political scandals to human interest stories. He brings a clear and direct approach to his work.
