Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – A machine, which can produce methamphetamine tablets to be smuggled into Burma through the border, was seized in Mae Sai by the Thai Army last evening.
After receiving a tip-off that an ecstasy machine would be brought from Chiang Mai district, Pang to Mae Sai, the Thai border police waited carefully along the Thai-Burma border creek and finally arrested them.
"They got a tip-off and arrested a person from Chiang Mai, while they were trying to cross into Burma. Another Thai fled from the scene. This machine was to be smuggled into Burma," a local resident from Mae Sai, who has close contacts with the police, told Mizzima.
The machine was carried in a Chiang Mai registered Mitsubishi car, driven by Thai national, Jumnam Wirot (34). The Thai police inspected the car and found the machine, while the car had stopped and was waiting at a ferry pier in Ward No. 9, Mae Sai.
The driver gave his statement to the police saying that he had no knowledge that this machine was an ecstasy producing machine. He was instructed by the consignor to carry this machine, known to him only as a corn grinding machine.
The ferry pier in Mae Sai is opposite to Parset Ward in Tachileik, Burma. There are many other illegal border entry points along this border creek.
"There are a lot of people at these border gates in the night such as 'Wa' gate, Army gate, Border Committee Chairman Bo Lay's gate, police gate etc. If you want to cross these gates at night, you have to pay Baht 300-500. The toll tax for contraband goods is extra. These gates are crowded with people at night. It is better not to go outside at night. It will be safe for us," he said.
The Thai police also seized over 10,000 weapons of M16 assault rifle on February 4, this year from a house in Param Ward, Mae Sai in Thailand.
The Thai border police force held a press conference yesterday, briefing the media about the seizure of the ecstasy producing machine. It has been learnt that Mae Sai police will hold a similar press conference this evening.
