Police Unravel Rayong Prisonerâ€™s Drug Network

November 4, 2012

Two Thai drug dealers were arrested during a police sting operation after a brief high-speed pursuit. Police seized 2,000 meth pills from the suspects. They belong to a big drug-dealing gang controlled by a Rayong prisoner, whose wife was arrested earlier for drug dealing.

PATTAYA – October 3, 2012 [PDN]: at 12:15 a.m., the arrests of two more drug dealers was announced by Pol. Col. Somneuk Jankate, Superintendent, Banglamung police station, Chonburi province; together with Pol. Lt. Col. Phongphan Saenghiran, Deputy Superintendent, Rayong province; Pol. Capt. Kornphong Sukvisit; Pol. Capt. Komvuth Damrongphokkaphan, Deputy Inspector, Banglamung police station; with the police team of Rayong police station and the detective police team of Banglamung police station.

The suspects were identified as Mr. Jeerasak of Jek Srisawat, age 28, address 193/10 Moo 5 Tambon Nikompattana, Amphur Nikompattana, Rayong province; and Mr. Phansa or Boy Ouimen, age 22, address 16/102 Tambon Nong Preu, Amphur Banglamung, Chonburi province.

Police seized 2,000 pills of amphetamines packed in 10 bags, 5 mobile phones, and a bronze-gray Toyota Vios, license number CHOR LOR 4014 Bangkok.

The arrests of the suspects resulted from a follow-up investigation of the earlier arrest of Ms. Jirawadee or Ou Saelao, age 23, who is the wife of a Rayong prisoner serving time for drug convictions. Her husband is masterminding the network of drug dealers from inside the prison.

After Ms. Jirawadee’s arrest, the police investigated her further, and sent an undercover agent to purchase amphetamines from Mr. Jeerasak. An appointment was made to deliver the drugs in front of the entrance to Thammasart University, central Pattaya in area of Tambon Pong, Amphur Banglamung.

However, Mr. Jeerasak became aware that it was a police sting operation, and tried to escape in his car. The police were chasing him closely and then cut off his car toward the side of the road to force him to stop. They arrested him with the 2,000 pills of amphetamine.

After investigating Mr. Jeerasak and Mr. Phansa further, police discovered that they belong to a network of a big gang of drug dealers in the Rayong and Chonburi provinces.

A customer would make a phone call to order amphetamines, which would be relayed to the Rayong prisoner mastermind, “Mr. Day” (alias), the husband of Ms. Jirawadee. An appointment would be made to deliver the drugs on the side of the road somewhere in Rayong or Chonburi. Payment would be made by transferring money to a bank account.

The police charged the two suspects with possessing with intent to sell a Type-1 drug (amphetamine), and will investigate further to follow up to arrest the rest of the drug dealers in the network to prosecute according to the law.