The suspects were identified as Myanmar national Muhammad Yamin, 39, and Suayis Singsongmuang, 30, who was said to be a member of the Rohingya ethnic group. Suayis was carrying press identification purportedly showing that he worked as a magazine journalist, which he showed police when they initiated a search for drugs, bureau chief Pol Lt-Colonel Rewat Klinkesorn said yesterday. The suspect claimed to have paid Bt1,500 to purchase the identification with the intention of using it to fool police.

Rewat said Suayis had travelled to and from the United States several times to smuggle drugs. He added that both suspects confessed to receiving Bt5,000 each to transport the drugs.

Police initially charged both for the possession of yaba pills with the intent to sell, and Yamin was also charged with illegal entry into the Kingdom.

In another drug bust in Mae Sot on Monday, police seized 30 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, or “ice”, from Apirati Khiripongsakorn, a 42-year-old resident of Tak, and his Myanmar wife Nann Htee Phung, 40, in a sting operation at Phudsa Pier on the Mei River.

Rewat said the couple had been paid Bt25,000 in advance to deliver the drugs, and would have received an additional Bt75,000 when the delivery was completed. Both are facing charges of possessing illicit drugs with the intent to sell. Police are investigating further to track down the source of the drugs.