Patinya Iamtarn,
Yongyos Preuksarak
The Nation
BANGKOK: -- Three suspected members of a drug ring that produced methamphetamine tablets laced with pesticides and tiling grout have been arrested, police announced yesterday.
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Lt General Kamronwit Toopkrajang told a press conference that the gang had a machine that could churn out 30 methamphetamine tablets per minute.
"These pills have a 'WY' logo," he said.
The suspects are identified as Yaowares Yanil, 25, Tiwa Plubwongkram, 21, and Sihanon Kalayram, 18.
"This gang is linked to drug-trafficking inmates at the Chachoengsao Prison," Metropolitan Police Division 2 deputy commander Colonel Pirapong Wongsamarn said.
According to Pirapong, the gang has moved its lab from place to place in a bid to avoid police detection. The arrests on Sunday were made just before their house-lease contract expired.
In addition to nabbing the three men, police seized 729 methamphetamine tablets and chemicals used in the production. The drugs were mixed with pesticides and grout to increase the lab's yield.
In another case, three men were caught at a police checkpoint on Ratchapreuk Road on Sunday with 4.8 grams of crystal methamphetamine and 108 methamphetamine tablets in their possession.
Also yesterday, Customs Bureau Region 4 director Prayut Maneechote announced the arrest of Katchi Mohamed Buhari Ahmed, a 31-year-old Indian national.
Customs officials at Phuket International Airport found 10 kilograms of ephedrine, a chemical used in methamphetamine production, in hidden compartments in suitcases belonging to Ahmed. Police said he had flown from India and stopped over at Suvarnabhumi Airport. He then boarded Thai Airways International flight TG223 to Phuket.
"He has confessed that he was paid US$5,000 [Bt157,500] to carry two bags to Songkhla's Hat Yai district," Prayut said. "The suspect has said he has done the job four times before but embarked at Suvarnabhumi Airport."
-- The Nation 2012-08-07
