PUBLISHED : 17 Feb 2026 at 12:51
Highway police seized 2.1 million methamphetaine pills and 26 kilogrammes of crystal meth found concealed beneath a load of garlic, and arrested the pickup driver, in Saraburi province.
The value of the drugs was estimated at 200 million baht,
The suspect, identified only as Theerawat, 42, was detained following a search of his pickup truck on highway 32, near the Chai Nat overpass, in tambon Suea Hok of Muang district on Monday.
Police said 2.19 million meth pills and 26kg of crystal meth were found hidden under a pile of garlic on the back of the vehicle.
The suspect was charged with possessing a category 1 drug with intent to sell for commercial purposes, an offence deemed to cause widespread public harm and affect national security and public safety.
The stop-and-search followed a tip-off that a vehicle carrying illegal drugs would be passing through tambon U Taphao in Manorom district, and an approximate time.
Highway police were positioned to watch for the vehicle – described as a grey Isuzu pickup with Kamphaeng Phet licence plates, modified with a steel frame covered with a tarpaulin.
On sighting a vehicle following the description, police signalled the driver to stop and conducted a search.
The driver, Mr Theerawat, appeared nervous, prompting a closer inspection of the cargo. On the back, police found packages of dugs concealed beneath a cargo of garlic
During questioning, Theerawat allegedly admitted he had collected the drugs in Chiang Rai province and was taking the load to Talad Thai market in Pathum Thani, avoiding the major checkpoints along the route.
He said he was promised a 200,000 baht payment, but only on delivery,
Police were expanding their investigation into the smuggling network.
Packs of crystal meth and methamphtamine pills, worth about 200 million baht, seized from the suspect’s pickup truck in Saraburi province. (Photo: Central Investigation Bureau)
