PATTANI (Thailand): Thai authorities seized a mammoth amount of methamphetamine and 'pil kuda' (a derivative of methampethamine) at three roadblocks in Pattani, recently.

Army Commander of the 4th Division, Lieutenant General Santi Sakuntanark, said the authorities succeeded in seizing nearly 1,000 kilogrammes of methamphetamine worth about 2 billion baht in an integrated operation in Saiburi, Pattani, on March 3.

Most recently, on March 12 and 13, he said enforcement troops including the police and the military managed to seize nearly 2 million 'pil kuda' at a road safety checkpoint in Nong Chik.

"Nine local men were arrested in the three operations," he said.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Police Chief of the 9th Division Pol. Maj. Gene. Prappan Mimongkol said Thai authorities have arrested nearly 14,000 people for drug abuse offences from October to March this year.

"Approximately 4.6 million pills (pil kuda), 1,037 kilogrammes of methamphetamine and 110 kilogrammes of heroin were confiscated by the authorities during the same period. In addition, the authorities also succeeded in confiscating drug syndicate's assets amounting to 38 million baht," he said.

-- BERNAMA