Thai Police Bust Major Drug Network “Mai Logistics,” Seize Over 2 Billion Baht in Assets

In a recent development, Thai law enforcement and related agencies held a press briefing on May 24th, 2024, unveiling their successful crackdown on the drug trafficking syndicate known as “Mai Logistics,” led by a former police officer in Mae Sai, Chiang Rai. This operation led to the confiscation of assets totaling more than 2 billion baht.

According to Thai authorities, a team from Pathum Thani apprehended eight individuals accused of smuggling 300 kilograms of ketamine into Lam Luk Ka, Pathum Thani, utilizing a private parcel delivery service. However, only 46 kilograms of the drug were recovered, suggesting that the suspects had rapidly distributed most of the ketamine to local dealers within an hour on March 15th, 2023.

Further investigations on March 25th, 2023, uncovered an additional 300 kilograms of ketamine hidden within 15 parcels at a Pathum Thani-based private delivery firm. This led to the arrest of three more suspects in Phitsanulok on March 28th, along with the seizure of four million amphetamine pills. Notably, one of the detainees, identified as 2nd Lt. Mai, a former police officer, was implicated in orchestrating drug smuggling activities through the delivery network and was apprehended in July 2023.

The probe, spanning from May 1st to May 21st, 2024, unearthed further accomplices spread across eight Thai provinces. Investigations unveiled that the “Mai Logistics” network camouflaged their illicit operations by running an electrical shop as a facade for money laundering. Consequently, law enforcement seized assets valued at 2.03 billion baht, including real estate, vehicles, firearms, and other assets.

Authorities are currently probing the possible complicity of the private delivery company in these criminal activities. Reports suggest that the illegal substances were transported across the Thai border for distribution throughout central Thailand.