Nine suspected drug couriers killed in 10-minute Chiang Rai gunfight; 272kg of crystal meth seized

CHIANG RAI — Nine suspected drug couriers were killed and about 272 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine were seized after a gunfight with soldiers in Chiang Rai’s Mae Fa Luang district, according to the Pha Muang Force.

Maj. Gen. Sathit Wainon, commander of the Pha Muang Force and director of its narcotics suppression operations centre, said officials inspected the scene after the clash between the force’s Chao Tak Task Force and a group suspected of transporting drugs.

The confrontation occurred at about 20:10 on Sunday near Ban Pang Mahan, Moo 8, Thoet Thai subdistrict.

Two patrol teams from the 1st Cavalry Company, working with a special intelligence unit, spotted 15 to 17 people walking through the terrain carrying modified rucksacks, authorities said.

Soldiers identified themselves and attempted to search the group, but the suspects opened fire with weapons of an unknown type and calibre, the force said. A gunfight followed for about 10 minutes before the group retreated. No personnel were injured.

Additional teams secured the area overnight. At about 6am on Monday, soldiers searched the surrounding area and found nine suspected members of the drug-smuggling network dead.

Officials also found 16 modified rucksacks containing approximately 17kg of crystal methamphetamine each, with a total weight of about 272kg.

The Pha Muang Force said drug-trafficking networks continued trying to move narcotics from neighbouring countries through Mae Fa Luang district for onward transport into Thailand.