Thailand Meth Seizure: $90.8M Drug Bust
- Thai authorities have confiscated a large quantity of crystal methamphetamine, preventing it's export from the country.
- Eight men were taken into custody Saturday in Rayong province.
- The department of Special Examination estimates the seized methamphetamine would be worth more than 3 billion baht, or $90.8 million,if sold internationally.
Thai authorities made a meaningful dent in the illicit drug trade, seizing nearly 2.4 metric tons of crystal methamphetamine in a recent bust. Eight individuals were arrested in Rayong province, Thailand, in connection to the attempted smuggling operation. The seized drugs,with a street value estimated at $90.8 million, were cleverly concealed. This major methamphetamine seizure highlights the ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking, revealing the significant scale of this illegal industry. The inquiry continues, focusing on the source and intended destination while efforts to curb regional activity persist.News Directory 3 is continually keeping you updated. Discover what’s next for Thailand’s fight against the spread of illegal drugs.
Thailand Meth Seizure Nets Millions, Eight arrested
Updated June 23, 2025
Thai authorities have confiscated a large quantity of crystal methamphetamine, preventing it’s export from the country. The seizure occurred near a pier in eastern Thailand, officials announced Monday.
Eight men were taken into custody Saturday in Rayong province. They allegedly attempted to smuggle nearly 2.4 metric tons of the drug, also known as “ice,” across Thailand’s southern border. Officials have not released details regarding the origin or intended destination of the methamphetamine.
The department of Special Examination estimates the seized methamphetamine would be worth more than 3 billion baht, or $90.8 million,if sold internationally. The drugs were concealed in plastic bags labeled as corn flour, each containing about 1 kilogram of methamphetamine. Authorities also impounded a van and a truck believed to be connected to the smuggling operation.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra acknowledged the prosperous operation. At a press conference, shinawatra stated the government is committed to its anti-drug policies.
Experts from the United Nations have identified neighboring Myanmar as the primary source of methamphetamine and heroin in the region. A recent U.N. report indicated that Southeast Asia’s illicit drug trade is rapidly expanding. Drug seizures reached a record 236 tons in 2024, a 24% increase from the previous year.
The “Golden Triangle,” where Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand converge, has historically been a hub for opium and heroin production due to its remote location and weak law enforcement. methamphetamine has increasingly replaced opium and heroin due to its ease of industrial-scale production.
What’s next
Thai authorities will continue their investigation to determine the source and intended destination of the seized methamphetamine, as well as to identify any additional individuals involved in the smuggling operation. the government is expected to announce further measures to combat drug trafficking in the region.