DSI collaborated with the Royal Thai Navy and ONCB to dismantle a narcotics network, seizing 2.4 tons of Methamphetamine valued abroad at over 3 billion baht, prepare for export

          On Monday, June 23, 2025, at the Ministry of Justice on Chaeng Watthana road, Miss Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Prime Minister; Mr. Chousak Sirinil, Minister Attached to the Prime Minister’s Office (overseeing the DSI), Police Colonel Tawee Sodsong, Minister of Justice (overseeing the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB)); Mrs. Pongsawat Neelayothin, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, Mr. Komol Prompheng, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, Police Major Yutthana Praedam, Director General of the DSI; Police Captain Surawoot Rungsai, Deputy Director General of the DSI; Mr. Withawat Sukantharos, Director of the Bureau of Narcotics Crime; Mr. Mana Siriphitthayawat, Deputy Secretary General of the ONCB; Vice Admiral Arpha Chaphanont, Commander of the First Naval Area Command; and Vice Admiral Weerudom Muangjean, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Royal Thai Navy (Intelligence), jointly held a press conference on “ DSI collaborated with the Royal Thai Navy and ONCB to dismantle a narcotics network, seizing 2.4 tons of Methamphetamine, valued abroad at over 3 billion baht, prepare for export ”

          Following the government’s policy on suppressing narcotics under the ‘Seal Stop Safe’ measure, the DSI, in integrated cooperation with Royal Thai Navy, the ONCB, and the Royal Thai Police arrested suspects and dismantled a narcotics network involved in the distribution of Type 1 narcotics (methamphetamine). The operation resulted in the seizure of 2,399 kg of ‘Ice’ while it was being transported by a tourist motor vessel with the intention of using Thai territorial waters for export to foreign countries. The drugs had an approximate international value exceeding 3,000,000,000 Thai Baht. The incident occurred near “Pak Nam Prasae” area, Klaeng District, Rayong Province.

The case stemmed from the arresting team, comprised of officer from the DSI’s Narcotics Crime Bureau and Royal Thai Navy were informed that a group of individuals operating a 90 gross ton tourist motor vessel had been involved in the illicit transport of illegal narcotics from the Pak Nam Prasae area, Pak Nam Krasae Subdistrict, Klaeng District, Rayong Province, to the southern part of Thailand, with the intent of forwarding the shipment to a third country.

On 21 June, 2025 (time of the incident) at approximately 11.00 PM, the arresting team conducted field surveillance using 4 inflatable patrol boats to monitor suspicious vessels in the Gulf of Thailand, near Pak Nam Prasae, about 5 nautical miles off the coast. They spotted a suspicious motor vessel, a 90 gross ton tourist motor vessel, matching the description provided in the intelligence report. The side of the vessel bore the English lettering “ PAIKANCATAMARANS ” and had 8 males onboard. When they spotted the arresting team, they began to act suspiciously by accelerating the vessel to flee. They appeared visibly alarmed and agitated, preparing to throw sacks, resembling those containing narcotics overboard from the vessel. Additionally, someone used their phone to contact others. The arresting team believed that the group was in possession of narcotics on board the vessel. They then identified themselves verbally as officers of the DSI and the Royal Thai Navy by the Special Operation Team of the Naval Special Warfare Command, Royal Thai Fleet, Royal Thai Navy, Using their official authority, officers approached the vessel with inflatable boats and requested to board for inspection.

During the search of the vessel, a total of 8 individuals, comprising the captain and crew, were present. Officers examine the suspicious item inside the sacks, fiding white crystalline substances resembling methamphetamine and were believed to be methamphetamine or “ice”. All eight suspects were detained, and the seized evidence was transported to the port. Subsequent examination verified the white crystalline substances to be methamphetamine or ice weighing 2.4 tons (2,399 kg)

While seizing the evidence and confirming it was narcotics, the officers notified other operation teams that included the DSI officers, the ONCB Region 2 officers, Naval Intelligence Department officers, and other relevant agencies to prepare for an onshore operation to examine "Luk Yod" Pier. During their search, they found a white Isuzu 6 wheel truck with a closed box body, license plate number 50-9530 Bangkok, which was later identified as the vehicle intended to transport the narcotics. They also found a dark gray Isuzu 4 door pickup truck, license plate 7 กย 3389 Bangkok, suspected of being connected to the offense.

          The officers then proceeded to take the following action:

1.    Detained 8 suspects

2.    Seized the methamphetamine or ice with a total weight of 2,399 kg

3.     Seized 1 white 6-wheel truck with a closed box body

4.    Seized 1 dark gray Isuzu 4-door pickup truck

          All these items, along with the suspects, were brought to the DSI, and the 90-gross-ton tourist motor vessel has been placed under the supervision of the First Naval Area Command

          According to the investigation and this arrest, the DSI, the ONCB, and other relevant agencies will continue to expand their investigation.

This operation reflects the strong collaboration among security agencies, particularly the DSI. The DSI immediately accelerated its follow-up investigation into this case, which will be handled as a special case, to follow the mastermind, key figure, and the network behind this transnational drug trafficking operation as possible.

“My government has a clear stance against all forms of narcotics, supporting integrated data, the use of technology for investigation, and the professionalism of government organization to eradicate this problem, both at the local level and by dismantling the entire network. Finally, I would like to thank all the officers involved once again. ” The Prime Minister said.