Burly Thai policemen dress in DRAG to snare notorious drug dealer

Five male police officers and a female colleague have posed as a dance troupe to snare a notorious drug dealer in Thailand.

The undercover drag operation targeted suspected meth smuggler Mekha Fa-wap-wap during a street festival in the country's Lopburi province, roughly 90 miles north of Bangkok.

Police Colonel Panthep Panadi led the squad of officers, who approached their target dressed in brightly coloured costumes.

The suspect was apprehended and handcuffed at the scene.

Authorities later shared an image online showing the officers, still wearing their elaborate outfits, standing behind the detained Mr Fa-wap-wap at Tha Luang district police station.

The caption accompanying the photograph read: "We didn't want to go out and arrest him, it's a waste of costume rental."

Some of the cross-dressing officers were seen struggling to suppress their smiles while posing for the camera.

Mr Fa-wap-wap was found in possession of more than 53 methamphetamine pills when officers detained him.

Police also discovered 200 plastic bags allegedly used for storing and distributing drugs.

A mobile phone connected to an illegal gambling operation was recovered during the arrest.

The suspect now faces charges of possessing category one narcotics with intent to sell.

He has also been charged with operating an unlawful online slot machine business.

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Thai police have developed a reputation for employing unconventional methods to apprehend suspects.

In February, officers concealed themselves inside a dragon costume during Bangkok's lunar new year celebrations to track down a suspected burglar.

The operation was launched after reports emerged of a break-in at a senior police officer's residence in the city's suburbs.

Video footage captured one officer dramatically emerging from the dragon's head before colleagues helped tackle the suspect to the ground.

The 33-year-old man was accused of stealing valuable Buddhist items from the property.

Among the allegedly stolen goods were two Buddha statues measuring 12 inches each.

Authorities estimated the total value of the missing artefacts at approximately two million baht, equivalent to around £47,500.