Nationwide drug sweep nets 42 suspects
THE latest nationwide drug sweep led to the arrest of 42 suspects and seizure of lots of drugs plus 725 million baht in assets, Thai News Agency reported today (March 7).
Deputy National Police Chief Pol. Gen. Chalermkiat Sriworakhan and Pol Lt Gen Sommai Kongwichaisuk, head of Narcotics Suppression Bureau, said the anti-drug drive from February 19 till today March 7 led to the arrest of 42 suspects in 29 cases.
A total of 2.1 million amphetamine pills, 1,590 kilograms of marijuana, 2 kilograms of cocaine as well as weapons, cars, cash and many other assets totaling 725 million baht were seized during this sweep.
The top police generals said the most interesting case is the arrest of Thai-born Indian Harpreet Singh early yesterday morning and seizing of 258 million baht of his assets.
This followed Narcotics Suppression Division 2 police expanding their investigation after the arrest of Mr Kosol Srimongkol’s international Ice (crystal methamphetamine) network on July 28, 2017.
The top police generals alleged that Mr Harpreet handled the drug gang’s finances and police had been following him for 20 years before being able to arrest him yesterday.
Pol Lt Gen Sommai said police had obtained a lot of evidence against Mr Harpreet before arresting him such as money transfers, buying and modifying vehicles and facilitating the routes used.
Although Mr Harpreet denies the charges, police are certain about the financial evidence they had uncovered against him, he added.
Pol Lt Gen Sommai also mentioned that there are other Indian groups who had come to Thailand and displayed a tendency of being linked to drug networks and police are watching them.
There are other cases too such as the arrest of Police Senior Sergeant Major Chitphanu Suvannakul and seizing around 7 million baht of assets plus the arrest of Mr Wanchalerm Kamolert, or Note Din Daeng, and seizing of 2 kilograms of Ice.
CAPTIONS:
Top: A police chart showing drug suspects in a network. Photo: Thai News Agency
In-text: Police showing the drugs and weapons they seized. Photo: Thai News Agency
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