Chiang Mai police have seized over 3.7 million methamphetamine pills and 100 kilograms of crystal meth hidden in a cabbage truck, following a high-speed chase aided by artificial intelligence (AI) surveillance.
The suspect, 24 year old Anusorn “Sanook” Masuk from Ratchaburi, was arrested early yesterday morning, September 14, in Chiang Mai’s San Sai district. Police tracked him using an AI-powered licence plate recognition system that flagged a suspicious grey Isuzu pickup truck moving across Chiang Mai and Lamphun provinces.
The operation, led by officers from Provincial Police Region 5 and the Office of the Narcotics Control Board, was publicly detailed by Chiang Mai Governor Thossaphol Phuean-udom and Regional Police Commander Lieutenant General Kritthaphon Yeesakorn today.
Police began monitoring the vehicle on September 13 after the AI system detected its movement through Chiang Dao, Mae Taeng, San Sai, Saraphi and Lamphun. Officers observed the grey Isuzu truck covered with a tarp, heavily loaded, and accompanied by another grey Isuzu with Bangkok plates, believed to be a lookout vehicle.
Around 10pm the same day, the suspect’s vehicle suddenly made a U-turn just 100 metres before a checkpoint in Mae Tha district, Lamphun, then fled into a rural area in Tha Sop Sao. Officers tracked it until it emerged from a village at around 3.50am the following day and began heading toward downtown Lamphun.
The pursuit continued across Lamphun and Chiang Mai districts, with the suspect speeding through red lights at multiple major intersections.
At approximately 4.30am, officers successfully intercepted the vehicle by shooting its tyres. The driver, later identified as Anusorn Masuk, was arrested on the spot.
A search of the vehicle uncovered 3,730,000 meth pills (yaba) and 100kg of ice (crystal meth) concealed under a load of cabbage in the truck bed.
Anusorn was taken into custody along with the evidence. The second vehicle, which was believed to be guiding the route, escaped toward Mae Taeng and is still being pursued by authorities.
According to police, Anusorn is part of the same drug trafficking network linked to a major bust two years ago involving a suspect known as Tiger, who was caught transporting six million meth pills and 30kg of ice, also hidden in a cabbage truck.
Lieutenant General Kritthaphon noted that the arrest highlights the effectiveness of new AI technologies developed by Region 5 Police to enhance surveillance and crack down on cross-border drug operations.
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