One of the gangs has a link to a flight sergeant first class officer.

Deputy National Police Commissioner Pol General Chalermkiat Srivorakan told a press conference yesterday that the Narcotics Suppression Bureau (NSB) had arrested 15 suspects, including two Laotians, and seized a big haul of illicit drugs between June 28 and July 4.

“The haul involves 3,543,800 methamphetamine tablets, 42.6 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, and 525 kilograms of marijuana,” he said.

During the operations, police also confiscated six vehicles, one motorcycle and 20 cell phones.

“Altogether, the seized drugs and these confiscated assets are worth more than Bt842 million,” Chalermkiat said.

On June 28, Pichet Herthongpetch, 32, and Phichit sae Her, 21, were arrested on the Paholyothin Road in Nakhon Sawan province for having 1,280,000 methamphetamine tablets and two kilograms of crystal methamphetamine in their possession with intention to sell.

“We received a tip-off that illicit drugs would be smuggled in from a border zone. We intercepted their vehicles. We will investigate further to determine who else are involved,” Chalermkiat said.

Eight suspects, including two Laotians, were nabbed in Khon Kaen province on Sunday morning while delivering illicit drugs. The suspects used three vehicles to transport more than 525 kilograms of marijuana.

“They tried to resist the police operation by banging into a police car in a bid to make an escape. But they were all rounded up in the end,” Chalermkiat said.

Another gang was hit on July 3 in Bangkok. Wanrob Sornnarong, 27, was caught red-handed in possession of 2.5 million methamphetamine tablets and 39.6 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine.

Police traced Wanrob at a house after noticing suspicious smoke and several men hurriedly burning something. A huge amount of drugs was found after a search of the area.

“We will go after his accomplices who have escaped from the scene,” Chalermkiat said.

He said police been watching Wanrob after he was seen with a suspected drug trafficker who was on the watch list. Wanrob might have known he was being trailed and attempted to burn the drugs to destroy evidence but got arrested because of the smoke.

Members of the network are reported to have spent time at a cock-fighting, which is owned by Flight Sergeant First Class Officer Tanongsak Pinijpong.

“At this point, Tanongsak has denied any involvement in the drug trade. We will contact his agency for interrogation,” Chalermkiat said.

In the fourth case, Jampa Sudlaew was arrested for arranging to deliver one kilogram of crystal methamphetamine to an undercover officer. She was arrested in Bangkok on June 30.

In the fifth case, Jutharat Binlatae, 33, and Wansit Somsong, 35, were arrested at a checkpoint for having more than 100,000 methamphetamine tablets in their possession.