BANGKOK, Thailand – The Ministry of Public Health on Wednesday dispatched a heavily guarded convoy transporting over 77 tons of confiscated narcotics, seized from more than 54,000 cases, to be destroyed. Narin Kalyanamitr, advisor to the Minister of Public Health, presided over the launch of the transport convoy under the campaign “BURN FOR BETTER.” The initiative aims to ensure the seized drugs do not re-enter circulation. According to Narin, the ministry relocates and destroys stored narcotics at least once a year. The current batch totals 77.897 tons from 54,097 criminal cases, comprising substances such as heroin, crystal methamphetamine (ice), and methamphetamine pills, with an estimated street value of 40 billion baht ($1.1 billion).
Strict security measures have been implemented along the transit route from the Ministry of Public Health to Akkhie Prakarn Public Company Limited in Samut Prakan province. The cargo will be handed over to a dedicated security and destruction task force. The narcotics are scheduled to be incinerated on June 25 using specialized hazardous waste incinerators operating at temperatures above 1,200°C to prevent environmental impact. Narin emphasized that the ministry is integrating efforts with all sectors to educate the public and protect youths from all types of narcotics, particularly emerging synthetic substances. He added that the complete incineration ensures the drugs are permanently eliminated from the supply chain. (TNA)
