DSI Joined Forces with ONCB Region 6, DIW, and Local Agencies to Inspect the Seized Hazardous Chemical Substances Weighed Over 805 Tons and Worth Over 67 Million Baht, with Expanded Investigation Over Concerns of Narcotic Precursor Conversion

DSI Joined Forces with ONCB Region 6, DIW, and Local Agencies to Inspect the Seized Hazardous Chemical Substances Weighed Over 805 Tons and Worth Over 67 Million Baht, with Expanded Investigation Over Concerns of Narcotic Precursor Conversion

On Wednesday, August 20, 2025, at 09:30 AM, at a warehouse in Mae Kasa Sub-District, Mae Sot District, Tak Province, Police Major Woranan Srilam, Director of the Bureau of Consumer Protection Crime, alongside Mr. Wannachai Promrak, Deputy Director of the Bureau of Consumer Protection Crime, in his capacity as the Head of the special case inquiry team no. 1/2568; Mr. Baramee Chandrapisai, Head of the Consumer Protection Crime Division 2; Mr. Sirichai Buaphueak, Head of the Director of the Bureau of Consumer Protection Crime Office, in his capacity as the inquiry team, and the special case inquiry team no. 1/2568, cooperated with the related agency representatives, including Mr. Sarawut Phakdee, Director of the Narcotics Prevention and Suppression Office Region 6; Mr. Wisut Chumkong, Experienced Factory Inspection Officer, Representative of the Department of Industrial Works; Mr. Chaloemsak Piromthong, Tak Area Excise Officer, Mae Sot Branch; Police Lieutenant Natthapat Chansri, Deputy Inspector (Suppression) of Mae Sot Police Station; Police Sub-Lieutenant Natthapat Fusampok, Border Patrol Platoon Leader No. 3461; Mr. Suratchai Jaidee, Deputy Chief Executive of the Mae Kasa Subdistrict Administrative Organization; Mr. Somkiat Thiyot, Mae Kasa Subdistrict Headman; and local authorities, to jointly examine the containers of 8 chemical substances that had been seized by the Office of the Narcotics Control Board Region 6 at the warehouse. The substances, including Toluene, Benzene, Acetone, and Sodium Hydroxide, have a total weight of 805 tons, and are valued at approximately 67 million Baht. The authorities found that the substances are in a perfect condition, and some of which are hazardous substances category 3 according to the Hazardous Substances Act, B.E. 2535 (1992), total weight of 333 tons.

The representative of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB), who exercised the power to seize the items, handed them over to the special case inquiry team to be accepted as evidence for the case. The special case inquiry officials then handed over the evidence to the Department of Industrial Works in accordance with the Hazardous Substances Act, to proceed with the aforementioned laws as it requires the items to be handed over to the officials for safekeeping, with the representative from the Excise Department and local authorities witnessing the process of receiving and handing over.

The case is a continuation of the joint operation of the Department of Special Investigation and the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB), where the authorities seized the 8 chemical products classified as hazardous substances category 1 and 3 from a warehouse close to the border area. According to the reverse inspection, it is revealed that a company requested for the importation of the substances, as well as reported the storage location in Pathum Thani Province. Some of the substances, if mixed with other chemical substances, can be used as a precursor for narcotics. The Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) then seized the substances as per the laws.

In addition, the amount of the substances, classified as category 3 hazardous substance, exceeds 50 tons, so the Department of Special Investigation has the authority to accept the case and has accepted it for a special case investigation. The case will fall under the responsibility of the Bureau of Consumer Protection Crime for a further investigation.

 “Today, we conducted the operation with related agencies in securing the evidence in order to verify its existence, as well as to transfer the case to the Department of Industrial Works, which has the authority to safekeep hazardous substances and proceed with legal actions. This case is a key policy of the government and the Minister of Justice. Therefore, Police Major Yutthana Praedam, Director-General of the Department of Special Investigation, has ordered an expanded investigation to crack down on the import source, in close coordination with the Office of the Narcotics Control Board. The case may also be investigated further into the related properties,” Police Major Woranan noted.