Banglamung police seized a large meth factory in Naklua residential arean in Pattaya. The multi-million ya-ba operation is under investigation. The ringleader of the meth lab gang escaped narrowly.

Pol.Lt.Gen. Panya Mamen Region 2 Police Commissioner and Pol.Maj.Gen.Chamnong Rattanakul- Commander of Chonburi Police reported that they had arrested Mr.Abhisit Keyen age 19 and Mr. Bandit Kamwong age 24. The suspects were in possession of 545 green meth tablets, two brown crystals weighing 1.7 kg, meth producing equipment and cookers, grinders and reactants.

Also, On February 29, 2012, law enforcement in Pattaya (specifically the Department of Special Investigation’s Eastern Bureau) targeted counterfeit goods operations, raiding five shops hiding illegal merchandise behind a fake art gallery in South Pattaya.

Around this timeframe, Thai authorities under Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung were executing aggressive nationwide crackdowns and reviewing strict penalties for narcotics.

TN