Thailand seizes 18 million meth pills

Thai authorities seized more than 18 million meth pills in the drug-riddled “Golden Triangle”, a senior military official said yesterday, following deadly anti-trafficking operations in the border region. The Golden Triangle -- a lawless wedge of land intersecting China, Myanmar, Thailand and Laos -- is the main base of operations for Southeast Asia’s highly lucrative methamphetamine trade.

Attempts to crack down on the drug’s influx into Thailand have resulted in massive seizures and left at least 15 alleged smugglers shot dead in the country’s north since the start of November. The latest bust occurred in Chiang Rai province on Sunday night after authorities received a tip-off that smugglers were active in the area, later pinpointing two suspicious cars.

“We found and seized bags... all were methamphetamine, about 18.76 million pills,” commander Vichit Wongsang said in a press conference streamed live on Facebook.