Chonburi, Thailand – November 2nd, 2025 – Thai narcotics police, together with local authorities, announced a significant breakthrough in the fight against drug trafficking on Saturday, unveiling the arrest of a major methamphetamine ring and the seizure of over 3.64 million pills worth millions of baht, concealed within an opulent Thai-style residence in Chonburi province. This is an update from our prior story here, with many more details.
The operation, which culminated in the early evening of November 1, represents one of the largest single hauls of illegal drugs in the region this year, authorities said during a press conference held at 5:00 p.m. local time. Led by high-ranking officials from the Narcotics Suppression Bureau (NSB) and Chonburi Provincial Police, the raid targeted a sophisticated network suspected of smuggling narcotics from northern Thailand into the eastern seaboard.
Pol. Lt. Gen. Archay Kraithong, Commissioner of the NSB, flanked by deputies Pol. Maj. Gen. Worapoj Dissayabut and Pol. Maj. Gen. Adis Charoensawat, along with Chonburi Provincial Police Commander Pol. Maj. Gen. Pongsaporn Wongmaneetes and other senior officers, detailed the dramatic arrest. The suspects, identified as Mr. Wiboon Sapprasert, 42, and two accomplices—known only as “Mr. Nat” and “Mr. James” in initial reports—were apprehended at approximately 7:30 p.m. on November 1st at a sprawling Thai-style luxury home located in the Phan Thong District.
“We have dismantled a key node in a large-scale drug distribution network operating across provinces,” Pol. Lt. Gen. Archay stated. “This seizure not only disrupts their operations but sends a clear message to traffickers: No luxury hideout will shield you from justice.”
Elaborate Smuggling Tactics Revealed
According to confessions from Mr. Nat and Mr. James, the drugs originated from Chiang Rai province in northern Thailand, near the borders known as hotspots for cross-border narcotics inflows. To evade detection, the suspects employed a custom-modified shrimp transport tank: the bottom compartment was packed with methamphetamine pills (commonly known as “yaba” in Thailand), while the top layer was filled with live shrimp, oxygenated water, and breathing tubes to mimic legitimate seafood shipments.
“This ingenious method was designed to fool checkpoints,” explained Pol. Col. Thammarat Akkarachaiyapong, Superintendent of Phan Thong Police Station. “They’ve made about 10 such runs, parking the shipments temporarily in Pak Fa Subdistrict, Ko Chan District, before distribution. Each trip netted them 200,000 baht in fees.”
The tank ruse highlights the evolving sophistication of Thai drug syndicates, which often exploit agricultural and fishing routes along the Gulf of Thailand to launder illicit cargo.
Massive Seizures and Asset Forfeiture
At the raid site—a lavish residence blending traditional Thai architecture with modern amenities—officers uncovered a treasure trove of contraband and assets. Key items seized included:
– 3,640,000 methamphetamine pills, valued at an estimated street price of over 100 million baht.
– 1 kilogram of crystal methamphetamine (ice).
– Four vehicles, comprising two pickup trucks, a Nissan Teana sedan, and a Toyota Fortuner SUV.
– Four mobile phones, believed to contain communications logs linking the group to suppliers and buyers.
– Additional on-site assets: Five pickup trucks (including one modified for transport), two more sedans, one motorcycle, one tractor, and various tools suspected in packaging operations.
In total, authorities froze assets tied to the network valued at 50 million baht, including bank accounts, properties, and luxury goods. Investigations are ongoing to trace upstream suppliers in Chiang Rai and downstream distributors across Chonburi and neighboring provinces.
The home’s opulent design—featuring ornate wooden carvings, expansive gardens, and high-security fencing—belied its role as a narcotics warehouse, showing how traffickers often invest drug profits in visible displays of wealth.
Broader Context in Thailand’s Drug War
This bust comes amid intensified national efforts to curb the resurgence of methamphetamine trafficking, fueled by regional production in neighboring Myanmar and Laos. Thailand’s Narcotics Control Board reported over 194 million yaba pills seized nationwide in the past fiscal year, with eastern provinces like Chonburi serving as key transit hubs due to proximity to Laem Chabang Port.
Pol. Lt. Gen. Archay described inter-agency cooperation: “The NSB’s Third Division, working with Chonburi police, exemplifies our zero-tolerance approach. We urge the public to report suspicious activities—your tip could save lives.”
The suspects face charges under Thailand’s Narcotics Act, including possession, transportation, and distribution of Category 1 controlled substances, which carry penalties of life imprisonment or the death penalty in severe cases. Further interrogations are expected to yield more arrests.
As Thailand grapples with a drug crisis linked to rising addiction rates and violence, operations like this offer a glimmer of progress.
For more on Thailand’s anti-drug initiatives, visit the Office of the Narcotics Control Board website.
