A group of 19 illegal migrants and three guides from Myanmar were arrested yesterday (Friday) near the border in Thailand’s southern province of Prachuap Khiri Khan. One of those detained is alleged to have been in possession of a quantity of illegal narcotics, which he claimed were to be used to settle the cost of travel charged by a human trafficking gang.
Thai security forces deployed near a natural border crossing in Village 5, Huai Sai sub-district of Mueang, intercepted 12 men, 7 women and 3 guides after they crossed into Thailand from Myanmar.
The Thai officials then searched their backpacks and found 2,000 methamphetamine pills and 1.75kg of crystal meth (Ice) in one of them. The owner of that backpack told the officials during questioning that each of them had to pay a broker 40,000 baht, with the first half due before beginning their their journey and the balance when they reach their destination in Malaysia.
The drug suspect admitted, however, that he does not have enough money to pay the broker and decided to smuggle the drugs in the hope that their sale would earn him enough to pay the remaining 20,000 baht.
The suspect was separated from the rest of the group and taken to Khlong Wan police station to face drug trafficking charges.
