Bangkok: Soldiers clashed with a drug trafficking caravan as they attempted to smuggle drugs across the border in Mae Ai district, Chiang Mai province. They seized over 300,000 methamphetamine pills and more than 17 kilograms of raw opium.
According to Thai News Agency, rangers from the Chaiyanuphap Task Force, Pha Muang Command, engaged with a drug smuggling group in a natural passageway near Ban Pang Nai, Mali Ka Subdistrict, Mae Ai District, Chiang Mai Province. Following a tip-off from a special intelligence unit that drugs would be smuggled from a neighboring country into Thailand, a patrol was deployed. At 5:30 AM today (July 19th), they encountered a group of 3-5 drug smugglers walking along a natural path. When officers signaled for a search, the smugglers opened fire with unknown firearms, resulting in a five-minute shootout. The smugglers then used the cover of darkness and their knowledge of the terrain to escape.
After the situation calmed down, officers deployed to secure the area and inspected the site of the clash. They found two modified sacks abandoned by the drug trafficking ring. The first sack contained 300,000 methamphetamine pills (category 1 narcotics), while the second contained approximately 17.6 kg of raw opium (category 2 narcotics) and a homemade firearm. All items were seized as evidence for legal proceedings.