Police Break Up Drug Network That Targeted Teens

October 11, 2012

In a follow-up to the arrests of two school janitors for drug dealing, police arrested three more suspects involved in the drug network. Police seized drugs and a pistol in a raid of a Rayong apartment. The police commander condemned the suspects for selling drugs to teens and children.

RAYONG – October 11, 2012 [PDN]; at 1:30 a.m., three drug-dealing suspects were arrested by police during a raid. Making the arrests were Mr. Pawat Lertmookda, Sattahip sheriff, Chonburi province; and Mr. Chawat Thepthup, Deputy of the Stability Division; who together mobilized forces of Special Operations officers of the Center to Fight Against Drugs.

The three suspects were arrested during a police raid of a rental room at 256/66 Moo 3 Tambon Baan Chang, Amphur Baan Chang, Rayong province.

For this raid the police officers had to be careful, because they knew the gang of drug sellers had a gun to protect themselves. So the officers blockaded the entrance to the room and threatened the suspects that police officers will shoot to kill if there is fighting. This made the suspects consent to open the door to let officers arrest them.

Three suspects were identified as Mr. Wanchalerm or Ou Kraikruan, age 30, the singer in pub of Song For Life; his girlfriend Ms. Sivaporn or Oy Makmee, age 35; and Mr. Boonkerd or Kerd Wilasri, age 33.

Police seized the evidence that included a .38 caliber Smith & Wesson revolver, license number KOR THOR-440134, and 13 bullets. Police also seized 13 amphetamine pills and 600 THB in marked banknotes used in a police sting purchase of drugs.

Police had uncovered the network of drug dealers after the October 10 arrests of two Rayong school janitors, Ms. Bootsaya Joyroong and Mr. Suwan Thongthuam, who were caught in an undercover police sting. After their arrests, the two suspects provide police with the information to follow-up and arrest the other three suspects.

Police restrained the three new suspects along with the evidence, and sent them to the investigation officer of Baan Chang police station, Rayong province, to prosecute according to the law. The suspects are charged with possessing Type-1 drugs, and having a gun and bullets without a legal permit.

Sattahip sheriff Mr. Pawat Lertmookda strongly condemned this gang of drug sellers who are very harmful to society, because they were bringing a lot of drugs into the schools to sell to students and children who are future of the Kingdom.

Therefore, the Sattahip branch of the Center of Fighting Against Drugs rushed to investigate and make arrests to get rid of this gang of drug sellers in the schools as soon as possible.