In a major drug bust, police in Thailand seized 1.6 tonnes of ketamine and crystal methamphetamine in Ayutthaya province. The drugs were found hidden under vegetables in a pickup truck. The driver of the vehicle has been arrested on charges of drug trafficking.&nbsp;According to the police, the 39-year-old Thai man was nabbed by the police over the weekend when he stopped his truck at a petrol station in central Ayutthaya province. Upon searching his vehicle, the police discovered a massive cache of drugs concealed beneath bags of cabbage in the truck bed.The officials said that the haul included about 900 kilograms of ketamine and 700 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine. The substances were tightly packed and hidden to avoid detection.&nbsp;During interrogation, the driver confessed that he had been hired to transport the drugs for 100,000 baht ($3,000), the police said. Thai authorities believe that the man is a part of a larger trafficking network involving drugs being transported from a neighbouring country. They did not specify which country.Under Thai law, drug trafficking is a serious offence and carries severe penalties, with a maximum sentence of 15 years to life in prison.Thailand is a major hub for illegal drug trafficking in Southeast Asia. Police raids and seizures of hard narcotics such as heroin and methamphetamine are not uncommon in the country.&nbsp;According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), drug trafficking remains a growing concern. In 2024 alone, a record 236 tonnes of methamphetamine were seized across East and Southeast Asia, marking a sharp 24 per cent rise from the last year.&nbsp;Thailand remains the “main transit and destination point for methamphetamine” trafficked from neighbouring Myanmar, as per UNODC. The country has recorded the largest quantity of seized meth in the region.

Thai police seized 1.6 tonnes of ketamine and meth hidden under cabbages in a truck in Ayutthaya. A driver was arrested, exposing a suspected cross-border drug trafficking network.

In a major drug bust, police in Thailand seized 1.6 tonnes of ketamine and crystal methamphetamine in Ayutthaya province. The drugs were found hidden under vegetables in a pickup truck. The driver of the vehicle has been arrested on charges of drug trafficking. According to the police, the 39-year-old Thai man was nabbed by the police over the weekend when he stopped his truck at a petrol station in central Ayutthaya province. Upon searching his vehicle, the police discovered a massive cache of drugs concealed beneath bags of cabbage in the truck bed. The officials said that the haul included about 900 kilograms of ketamine and 700 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine. The substances were tightly packed and hidden to avoid detection. During interrogation, the driver confessed that he had been hired to transport the drugs for 100,000 baht ($3,000), the police said. Thai authorities believe that the man is a part of a larger trafficking network involving drugs being transported from a neighbouring country. They did not specify which country. Under Thai law, drug trafficking is a serious offence and carries severe penalties, with a maximum sentence of 15 years to life in prison. Thailand is a major hub for illegal drug trafficking in Southeast Asia. Police raids and seizures of hard narcotics such as heroin and methamphetamine are not uncommon in the country. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), drug trafficking remains a growing concern. In 2024 alone, a record 236 tonnes of methamphetamine were seized across East and Southeast Asia, marking a sharp 24 per cent rise from the last year. Thailand remains the “main transit and destination point for methamphetamine” trafficked from neighbouring Myanmar, as per UNODC. The country has recorded the largest quantity of seized meth in the region.

Thai police seized 1.6 tonnes of ketamine and meth hidden under cabbages in a truck in Ayutthaya. A driver was arrested, exposing a suspected cross-border drug trafficking network.

Cabbage hack to hide ketamine and meth: Thai police uncover massive drug truck

Crystal meth (Methamphetamine), known as ‘ice’ on the Pakistani streets, is growing in popularity among rich students and young people. 
 
Methamphetamine, a highly addictive drug, has become cheaper and more accessible throughout Pakistan. But social stigma tied to drug addiction means some families refuse to seek help. 
 
According to a report by Deutsche Welle (DW), Anti Narcotics Force Pakistan said that around 27 million people struggle with drug abuse in the country. More students and members of the educated, upper class are getting&nbsp;attracted to the drug. 
 
According to an investigation conducted by Pakistan's Samaa News in 2018, crystal meth has become common among college students in the campuses of Peshawar because of its ability to keep a person awake for 24-48 hours. Many students have been abusing the drug to get through examinations. 
 
How Crystal meth works 
 
The Methamphetamine drug can be smoked, snorted, injected, or ingested orally. When it's used, a chemical called dopamine floods the parts of the brain that regulate feelings of ecstasy. 
 
Using meth floods the brain with dopamine to the extent that, at that moment, no other feeling can match the euphoria you experience. 
 
Use of this drug can cause irreversible harmful effects such as increased heart rate and blood pressure; damaged blood vessels in the brain that can cause strokes or an irregular heartbeat that can, in turn, cause cardiovascular collapse or death; and liver, kidney and lung damage. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

Crystal meth (Methamphetamine), known as ‘ice’ on the Pakistani streets, is growing in popularity among rich students and young people. Methamphetamine, a highly addictive drug, has become cheaper and more accessible throughout Pakistan.

Crystal meth (Methamphetamine), known as ‘ice’ on the Pakistani streets, is growing in popularity among rich students and young people. Methamphetamine, a highly addictive drug, has become cheaper and more accessible throughout Pakistan. But social stigma tied to drug addiction means some families refuse to seek help. According to a report by Deutsche Welle (DW), Anti Narcotics Force Pakistan said that around 27 million people struggle with drug abuse in the country. More students and members of the educated, upper class are getting attracted to the drug. According to an investigation conducted by Pakistan's Samaa News in 2018, crystal meth has become common among college students in the campuses of Peshawar because of its ability to keep a person awake for 24-48 hours. Many students have been abusing the drug to get through examinations. How Crystal meth works The Methamphetamine drug can be smoked, snorted, injected, or ingested orally. When it's used, a chemical called dopamine floods the parts of the brain that regulate feelings of ecstasy. Using meth floods the brain with dopamine to the extent that, at that moment, no other feeling can match the euphoria you experience. Use of this drug can cause irreversible harmful effects such as increased heart rate and blood pressure; damaged blood vessels in the brain that can cause strokes or an irregular heartbeat that can, in turn, cause cardiovascular collapse or death; and liver, kidney and lung damage. (With inputs from agencies)

Pakistan’s youth hooked to crystal meth, the country sees rise in addiction

Two foreign trawlers packed with over $33 million worth of heroin and crystal methamphetamine were seized in Sri Lanka's biggest-ever drugs bust at sea, a navy spokesman said Thursday.

Troops found 400 kilogrammes of heroin and 100 kilogrammes of the drug "ice" on board the two vessels, spokesman Isuru Sooriyabandara said.

The street value of the seized narcotics was estimated by officials to be 6,000 million rupees.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-offers-tax-cuts-subsidies-to-revive-jinxed-airport-283402">Sri Lanka offers tax cuts, subsidies to revive jinxed airport</a>

The vessels, as well as a Sri Lankan fishing boat, were escorted to a harbour near the capital Colombo on&nbsp;Thursday.

Sixteen foreign crew and five Sri Lankan crewmen were detained for questioning, Sooriyabandara added. The nationalities of the foreigners were not disclosed by authorities.

"The two foreign vessels were trying to offload the drugs onto a Sri Lankan fishing boat," Sooriyabandara said.

Also see:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmar-seizes-drugs-equipment-worth-27-million-military-283666"> Myanmar seizes drugs, equipment worth $27 million: Military</a>

The foreign vessels, which carried no registration, were intercepted in international waters some 1,100 kilometres&nbsp;from Sri Lanka's coast.

Sooriyabandara said investigators were checking GPS data onboard the vessels to establish the route and the point of origin.

Authorities said initial investigations suggested the Iran-Pakistan coast was the point of origin.

Also read<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-sanctions-cut-off-iranians-access-to-medicine-283907">: US sanctions cut off Iranians' access to medicine</a>

In 2016, the navy arrested 10 Iranians, two Pakistanis and one each from India and Singapore for allegedly trying to smuggle 110 kilogrammes of heroin into the island nation via a trawler.

The country's previous largest drug haul was in December 2016 when police seized 800 kilogrammes of cocaine on a ship at Colombo's port from Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah Port.

Six months earlier, authorities discovered 301 kilogrammes of cocaine inside a shipping container at Colombo.

Authorities believe the Indian Ocean island is also being used as a trafficking transit point.

Two foreign trawlers packed with over $33 million worth of heroin and crystal methamphetamine were seized in Sri Lanka's biggest-ever drugs bust at sea, a navy spokesman said Thursday.

Two foreign trawlers packed with over $33 million worth of heroin and crystal methamphetamine were seized in Sri Lanka's biggest-ever drugs bust at sea, a navy spokesman said Thursday. Troops found 400 kilogrammes of heroin and 100 kilogrammes of the drug "ice" on board the two vessels, spokesman Isuru Sooriyabandara said. The street value of the seized narcotics was estimated by officials to be 6,000 million rupees. Also read: Sri Lanka offers tax cuts, subsidies to revive jinxed airport The vessels, as well as a Sri Lankan fishing boat, were escorted to a harbour near the capital Colombo on Thursday. Sixteen foreign crew and five Sri Lankan crewmen were detained for questioning, Sooriyabandara added. The nationalities of the foreigners were not disclosed by authorities. "The two foreign vessels were trying to offload the drugs onto a Sri Lankan fishing boat," Sooriyabandara said. Also see: Myanmar seizes drugs, equipment worth $27 million: Military The foreign vessels, which carried no registration, were intercepted in international waters some 1,100 kilometres from Sri Lanka's coast. Sooriyabandara said investigators were checking GPS data onboard the vessels to establish the route and the point of origin. Authorities said initial investigations suggested the Iran-Pakistan coast was the point of origin. Also read: US sanctions cut off Iranians' access to medicine In 2016, the navy arrested 10 Iranians, two Pakistanis and one each from India and Singapore for allegedly trying to smuggle 110 kilogrammes of heroin into the island nation via a trawler. The country's previous largest drug haul was in December 2016 when police seized 800 kilogrammes of cocaine on a ship at Colombo's port from Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah Port. Six months earlier, authorities discovered 301 kilogrammes of cocaine inside a shipping container at Colombo. Authorities believe the Indian Ocean island is also being used as a trafficking transit point.

Sri Lanka seizes record drugs haul at sea

Myanmar authorities seized more than 10 million meth pills worth $13.3 million over the weekend, police said Monday, another massive haul in a country widely believed to be the world's largest methamphetamine producer.

High-grade crystal meth -- or 'ice' -- is smuggled out of Myanmar via sophisticated networks to lucrative developed markets as far away as Japan, South Korea and Australia.

Lower-quality pills, cut with caffeine and known in the region as "yaba" or "crazy medicine", are pumped out to feed the voracious domestic market as well as large drug-addicted communities in nearby Thailand and Bangladesh.

Two different busts took place in the west of the country at the weekend, state-run media said Monday, one in Magway region and one in Maungdaw in Rakhine state.

"It's the biggest drugs seizure this year in the country and the biggest ever in Maungdaw region in Rakhine State," police colonel Win Ko Ko told AFP.

The pills were likely destined for Bangladesh, where they have become an easy source of income for the Rohingya Muslim refugees who have poured across the border since a 2017 military crackdown.

Most of the drug production, however, takes place on the other side of Myanmar, in conflict-ridden eastern Shan state.

Much of the state lies outside of central control with a complex web of rebel ethnic armed groups and militias wielding power and linking up with trafficking networks.

Opium farming is also rife, and Myanmar remains the world's second largest producer of the drug after Afghanistan.

The poppy-covered hills also provide an ideal location for illicit meth labs, with a largely unchecked supply of precursor chemicals flooding-in from China.

Accurate production figures are impossible to obtain, but experts say that large seizures have had no effect on drug prices -- suggesting they are only a small proportion of the total.&nbsp;

Myanmar authorities seized more than 10 million meth pills worth $13.3 million over the weekend, police said Monday, another massive haul in a country widely believed to be the world's largest methamphetamine producer.

Myanmar authorities seized more than 10 million meth pills worth $13.3 million over the weekend, police said Monday, another massive haul in a country widely believed to be the world's largest methamphetamine producer. High-grade crystal meth -- or 'ice' -- is smuggled out of Myanmar via sophisticated networks to lucrative developed markets as far away as Japan, South Korea and Australia. Lower-quality pills, cut with caffeine and known in the region as "yaba" or "crazy medicine", are pumped out to feed the voracious domestic market as well as large drug-addicted communities in nearby Thailand and Bangladesh. Two different busts took place in the west of the country at the weekend, state-run media said Monday, one in Magway region and one in Maungdaw in Rakhine state. "It's the biggest drugs seizure this year in the country and the biggest ever in Maungdaw region in Rakhine State," police colonel Win Ko Ko told AFP. The pills were likely destined for Bangladesh, where they have become an easy source of income for the Rohingya Muslim refugees who have poured across the border since a 2017 military crackdown. Most of the drug production, however, takes place on the other side of Myanmar, in conflict-ridden eastern Shan state. Much of the state lies outside of central control with a complex web of rebel ethnic armed groups and militias wielding power and linking up with trafficking networks. Opium farming is also rife, and Myanmar remains the world's second largest producer of the drug after Afghanistan. The poppy-covered hills also provide an ideal location for illicit meth labs, with a largely unchecked supply of precursor chemicals flooding-in from China. Accurate production figures are impossible to obtain, but experts say that large seizures have had no effect on drug prices -- suggesting they are only a small proportion of the total.

Myanmar police seize massive haul of meth pills

Thailand has made one of its largest crystal methamphetamine busts, seizing 700 million baht ($22.42 million) worth of the drug, police said on Tuesday, as the United Nations warned Southeast Asia was being flooded with illegal drugs from the "Golden Triangle" region.

Police said 700 kilograms (1,543 lbs) of the drug, known as ice, was seized on March 28 in southern Chumpon Province and were destined for Malaysia.

More than nine million meth tablets were also found in fertiliser bags inside the vehicle, which lay some 100 metres away from the banks of the Mekong river that divides Thailand and Laos.

"Both type of drugs were found in the abandoned pickup truck... in Wiang Kaen district in Chiang Rai province," a military official told AFP, requesting anonymity.

He said the drug smugglers had already fled while authorities have detained three Thai men suspected of preparing to move the cache to the next destination.

The Golden Triangle -- a remote region where northern Thailand, Myanmar and Laos meet -- is a base for cartels who churn out huge quantities of opium and meth that are smuggled through porous borders to countries across Asia.

"These big seizures are indications that there is a relentless supply pumping out of the Golden Triangle and north Shan to flood Southeast Asian markets and also transit Southeast Asia to high value markets like Australia, New Zealand and potentially further," Jeremy Douglas, the UNODC's chief in Southeast Asia said.

The drugs were found on March 28 among fruit packed into a six-wheel truck in Chumpon province.

"The drugs were being transported via Thailand to Malaysia and destined for third countries," said Soonthorn Chalermkiat from the Narcotics Suppression Bureau.

Two Thai and two Malaysian trafficking suspects have been arrested, he added.

Commonly known as "ice", crystal meth is a stronger form of the drug that sells for around $60-80 a gramme in Thailand.

The methamphetamine market has expanded at an alarming rate in East and Southeast Asia. In 2015, experts in several countries in the subregion reported an increase in the use of both crystalline methamphetamine and methamphetamine tablets.

Among amphetamines, methamphetamine represents the greatest global health threat, a 2017 United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) World Drug report said.

Most of the drugs were produced outside of Thailand and were trafficked through the country en route to Australia, North America and Europe.

(With inputs from agencies)

Police said 700 kilograms (1,543 lbs) of the drug, known as ice, was seized on March 28 in southern Chumpon Province and were destined for Malaysia

Thailand has made one of its largest crystal methamphetamine busts, seizing 700 million baht ($22.42 million) worth of the drug, police said on Tuesday, as the United Nations warned Southeast Asia was being flooded with illegal drugs from the "Golden Triangle" region. Police said 700 kilograms (1,543 lbs) of the drug, known as ice, was seized on March 28 in southern Chumpon Province and were destined for Malaysia. More than nine million meth tablets were also found in fertiliser bags inside the vehicle, which lay some 100 metres away from the banks of the Mekong river that divides Thailand and Laos. "Both type of drugs were found in the abandoned pickup truck... in Wiang Kaen district in Chiang Rai province," a military official told AFP, requesting anonymity. He said the drug smugglers had already fled while authorities have detained three Thai men suspected of preparing to move the cache to the next destination. The Golden Triangle -- a remote region where northern Thailand, Myanmar and Laos meet -- is a base for cartels who churn out huge quantities of opium and meth that are smuggled through porous borders to countries across Asia. "These big seizures are indications that there is a relentless supply pumping out of the Golden Triangle and north Shan to flood Southeast Asian markets and also transit Southeast Asia to high value markets like Australia, New Zealand and potentially further," Jeremy Douglas, the UNODC's chief in Southeast Asia said. The drugs were found on March 28 among fruit packed into a six-wheel truck in Chumpon province. "The drugs were being transported via Thailand to Malaysia and destined for third countries," said Soonthorn Chalermkiat from the Narcotics Suppression Bureau. Two Thai and two Malaysian trafficking suspects have been arrested, he added. Commonly known as "ice", crystal meth is a stronger form of the drug that sells for around $60-80 a gramme in Thailand. The methamphetamine market has expanded at an alarming rate in East and Southeast Asia. In 2015, experts in several countries in the subregion reported an increase in the use of both crystalline methamphetamine and methamphetamine tablets. Among amphetamines, methamphetamine represents the greatest global health threat, a 2017 United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) World Drug report said. Most of the drugs were produced outside of Thailand and were trafficked through the country en route to Australia, North America and Europe. (With inputs from agencies)

Thailand seizes over $22.42 million worth of crystal meth

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