BANGKOK: Thailand’s Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) said Friday, September 18th, that it has arrested 16 suspects in a nationwide crackdown codenamed Operation “BLACKLIST HUNT,” targeting a major narcotics network and people wanted on outstanding warrants.
Officers detained five high-priority suspects and 11 alleged district-level distributors. Authorities said they seized more than 1 million methamphetamine pills, 514 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine (“ice”), four vehicles and three firearms. The seized drugs and property were valued at more than 120 million baht.
The five key suspects named by police were:
– Jakkrit, 27, wanted in a case involving attempted murder of an official and drug offenses, arrested in Ban Ped, Mueang Khon Kaen
– Boy, 42, and Kulporn, 35, listed as Nos. 32 and 33 on a major drug-wanted list, arrested at the Sai River Bridge in Chiang Rai
– Wichuphan, 29, arrested in Tha Yang, Phetchaburi
– Niwat, 44, arrested in Mueang Phuket
The 11 other suspects identified as local-level distributors were Thawisak, 20; Somchai, 46; Nattapol, 37; Jitlada, 56; Sumit, 31; Niphon, 32; Anuwat, 25; Punnawat, 36; Wasin, 24; Yuttachai, 36; and Anupong, 33.
CIB’s Division 3 of the Crime Suppression Division compiled a blacklist of wanted suspects and conducted searches at 16 locations in Thailand and abroad between September 4th and Sept. 11, 2026. Police said the operation was intended to disrupt the network from mid-level distributors up to larger organizers and leave them with nowhere to hide.
The suspects were handed over to local investigators. Police said some confessed while others denied the allegations.
The operation was directed under Police Lt. Gen. Natthasak Chaowanasi, commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau; Police Maj. Gen. Phatthanasak Bupphasuwan, commander of the Crime Suppression Division; and Police Col. Suriyasak Jirawat, superintendent of Division 3. Field work was led by Police Lt. Col. Sarawut Thongnoi and Police Lt. Col. Akkarawut Chancharoen of Division 3, CIB.
Photos CIB
For the original version of this article, please visit The Pattaya News.
