19-8-2023 (BANGKOK) A major international drug trafficking network known as the “Khai Huang” has been dismantled by Thai police, resulting in the arrest of six Taiwanese men and a Thai woman in Bangkok and Samut Prakan. The arrests were made on Friday as part of a three-month investigation into the network’s activities. Authorities had received information that the gang was preparing to ship drugs overseas.
Two Taiwanese men, identified as Chen You Ning (34) and Lee Min Chang (26), were apprehended at a rented luxury house in Bangkok’s Lat Krabang district. They have been charged with possession of narcotic drugs with the intent to distribute. During a search of the house, police discovered 17 drive shafts from heavy trucks, intended for export to Taiwan. Inside these drive shafts, authorities found 1.06 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine (“ice”) and 10 kilograms of cannabis. Equipment believed to be used for packing the drugs inside the drive shafts was also found.
Chen You Ning admitted to heading a drug gang in Taiwan. He had been arrested on narcotics charges in Taiwan seven months ago and was released on bail. He managed to flee to Thailand, where he continued his drug business. The suspect had learned about the use of drive shafts to smuggle drugs and adopted this method. He reportedly purchased the necessary equipment in Chon Buri, Thailand. Chen also bought one kilogram of crystal meth from a Taiwanese friend in Bangkok for 230,000 baht and sourced 40 kilograms of cannabis from shops in Bangkok for approximately 70,000 baht. Cryptocurrency was used for the payments.
The investigation subsequently led police to another rented house in Samut Prakan’s Bang Phli district, where four more Taiwanese men and a Thai woman were arrested. They were charged with illegal possession of drugs. The Taiwanese suspects, Tseng Yen-Ming (31), Lin Che-Cheng (24), Chen Yi-Wen (23), and Chu Chun-Yen (22), were wanted in Taiwan for a range of charges, including fraud, narcotics offenses, money laundering, and gambling. The Thai woman, identified as Apinya Udom (24) from Ubon Ratchathani, is the girlfriend of Tseng Yen-Ming.
This group was suspected of producing a drug cocktail referred to as “Happy Water.” It involves dissolving various drugs, such as ecstasy, methamphetamine, diazepam, caffeine, and tramadol, in hot water or mixing them with sweetened drinks. During the raid on the house in Samut Prakan, unspecified amounts of crystal meth and ketamine were discovered. Authorities also revealed that the house was being used as a venue for drug parties.
