Chiang Mai, Region 5 Provincial Police arrested an international drug trafficking gang that had modified a tourist van to hide 452 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine in the body and under the roof. The investigation led to the arrest of two more guide vehicles while they were transporting drugs into the inner city. They had done this 15 times. The main perpetrators were Thais living in Myanmar.The condition of 3 tour vans was modified to hide crystal meth in secret compartments in the body and ceiling under the roof. A total of 452 kilograms of evidence was found. They were arrested in the areas of Chiang Rai, Phrae, and Lampang provinces. Two more vehicles were also arrested to investigate the route and two more suspects.This arrest follows last week when Region 5 Provincial Police arrested two suspects for 150 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine hidden in the floor of a truck. Further investigation revealed that the gang was related to a group of tour bus drivers who had modified their vehicles to h ide drugs in secret compartments. They drove from the Chiang Rai border to inner areas and then someone would pick up the truck.Pol. Lt. Gen. Kritthaphon Yisakorn, Commander of Provincial Police Region 5, revealed that this operation has arrested 8 suspects, 7 cars, and seized 602 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine while transporting it into the inner area. It has been done 15 times. The main perpetrator is a Thai named Ekkasit, who has an arrest warrant for drug cases but is hiding in a neighboring country. He is the one who ordered the smuggling.Source: Thai News Agency