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Soldiers

Crackdown on Drug Trafficking in Doi Mae Salong, Chiang Rai

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

In a recent operation, the Pha Muang Task Force's 31st Task Force seized nearly 99 kilograms of crystal meth at a checkpoint in Mae Salong Nok, Chiang Rai. This haul is a significant blow to the drug trade in the region, which has a long history dating back to the 1960s. The area, known as Doi Mae Salong, is strategically located near the Golden Triangle, a notorious hotspot for drug trafficking.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Pha Muang Task Force's 31st Task Force seized 99 kilograms of crystal meth at a checkpoint in Mae Salong Nok, Chiang Rai on September 11.
  • The drugs, contained in 99 packets, each weighing about one kilogram, were abandoned by two motorbike riders who fled into the night.
  • The checkpoint was set up by the Ranger Company 3109, under Task Force 31, based on a tip-off about a planned drug run along the Thai-Myanmar border in Mae Fa Luang district, Chiang Rai.
  • The area, Doi Mae Salong, has a complicated history of drug trafficking, dating back to the 1900s, with opium trade being a major concern.
  • The Pha Muang Task Force, along with local police and other units, patrols the border, using tips from the public and sniffer dogs to catch traffickers.
  • The UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) backs projects that help farmers switch to clean farming, while the Mae Fah Luang Foundation encourages people to grow tea, coffee, and bamboo instead of poppies.
  • Chiang Rai's mayor connects local growers to buyers, reducing the need for illegal income from drugs.

Statistics:

  • 99 kilograms of crystal meth seized at a checkpoint in Mae Salong Nok, Chiang Rai.
  • 99 packets of crystal meth, each weighing about one kilogram.
  • 2 motorbike riders fled into the night after spotting the soldiers.
  • The checkpoint was set up on September 11, around 9:30 pm.
  • The area, Doi Mae Salong, has a history of drug trafficking dating back to the 1900s.
  • Opium trade was a major concern in the region, with over 100 kg of opium seized in some months.
  • The Pha Muang Task Force has been patrolling the border, working closely with local police and units.

Sources:

  • "Soldiers seize nearly 99 kilograms of crystal meth at border" - Independent Media
  • "Pha Muang Task Force seize 99 kilograms of crystal meth" - The Bangkok Post
  • "UN Office on Drugs and Crime backs projects to help farmers switch to clean farming" - The Nation
  • "Mae Fah Luang Foundation encourages people to grow tea, coffee, and bamboo instead of poppies" - Chiang Rai Times
  • "Chiang Rai's mayor connects local growers to buyers, reducing the need for illegal income from drugs" - Thai News Agency

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