NAKHON SI THAMMARAT: A major drug suspect was caught and 16 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine seized in a sting operation in Phrom Khiri district on Monday.
The suspect was Wanchai Ratchakij, alias Chai Thonhong, 32, whose alleged drug trading activities had long drawn the attention of local authorities.
The arrest was made by a drug suppression team set up by the provincial governor, comprising police and officials from the Internal Security Operations Command.
On Monday, in the sting operation, Mr Wanchai kept an appointment to hand over a quantity of crystal meth, or ice, to an undercover official at Wat Thonhong School in tambon Phrom Lok.
When he arrived at the school in a pickup, police also showed up to make an arrest. Mr Wanchai attempted to drive off, ramming his pickup into vehicles and other objects blocking his escape route.
The damaged pickup finally came to a halt after hitting a marble table. Mr Wanchai was arrested. Four packages of methamphetamineice, each weighing 1kg, were found in the pickup. Another 12kg of crystal meth was found hidden in bushes nearby.
Mr Wanchai and the seized drugs were handed over to Phrom Khiri police for legal proceedings.
