BANGKOK - A Vietnamese-led drug network used Thailand as a transit point to smuggle crystal methamphetamine concealed inside jars of tamarind paste to Japan, according to Bangkok police.

Metropolitan Police Bureau commissioner police lieutenant general Siam Boonsom announced the findings on July 17 alongside police major general Chaiya Phetpanya, commander of Metropolitan Police Division 7, and investigators from Bang Yi Khan Police Station.

The investigation followed the questioning of Sompong, a Thai suspect arrested in connection with the network.

Police said a person who earns money carrying goods overseas contacted officers on July 13 after becoming suspicious of jars of tamarind paste intended for delivery to Tokyo.

The containers felt unusually heavy, prompting the courier to hand them over for examination.

Investigators found six rounded packages wrapped in foil and hidden inside the jars. Tests confirmed that they contained more than 2kg of crystal methamphetamine, commonly known as ice.

Operation allegedly directed from Hanoi

Police said the case resembled other incidents in which unsuspecting travellers had been asked to transport packages containing illegal substances.

A deeper investigation indicated that the network was operated by Vietnamese nationals, with a senior figure allegedly directing the operation from Hanoi.

The organisers reportedly used anonymous Facebook accounts to hire delivery riders to collect packages from homes occupied by Vietnamese nationals in Thailand.

The riders then delivered the goods to Thai couriers hired to carry them overseas, creating several layers between the organisers and the final shipment.

Police said the arrangement was designed to prevent investigators from tracing the packages directly back to those controlling the network.

Thai bank account used for payments