Detained Malaysian 'not tied to Mr X ring'

Detained Malaysian 'not tied to Mr X ring'

Drug suspect Ko Chun Kia, a Malaysian national, was detained on Monday by Narcotics Suppression Bureau (NSB) officers at Suvarnabhumi airport as he was attempting to leave the country. (Photo provided by NSB)
Drug suspect Ko Chun Kia, a Malaysian national, was detained on Monday by Narcotics Suppression Bureau (NSB) officers at Suvarnabhumi airport as he was attempting to leave the country. (Photo provided by NSB)

The drug trafficking network involving a Malaysian suspect arrested on Monday at Suvarnabhumi airport is not connected to the alleged Lao drug kingpin Xaysana Keopimpha, narcotics agents say.

Narcotics Suppression Bureau (NSB) deputy chief Pornchai Charoenwong said Tuesday police were stepping up the investigation into the trafficking ring to which Ko Chun Kia, a Malaysian national, belongs. The suspect was caught by police as he was about to leave the country via the airport on Monday night.

The arrest was made by a team led by Pol Maj Gen Pornchai.

A warrant for Mr Ko's arrest was issued after two Malaysian men were arrested with 52 kilogrammes of heroin and 41kg of crystal methamphetamine at a police checkpoint in Chumphon province on Dec 11, 2016.

In an expanded action, police seized 87kg of crystal meth in Songkhla's Hat Yai district on Jan 26.

The suspects arrested on Dec 11 alleged Mr Ko was involved and was a leading member of the drug trafficking network.

He entered Thailand on April 3 and was subsequently arrested at departure gate 10 on the 4th floor of Suvarnabhumi airport before he could board a flight out.

Pol Maj Gen Pornchai said Mr Ko went to several northern provinces during his visit. His drug network was believed to have delivered drugs from the North to storage sites in Bangkok, in preparation for being moved to the South and then Malaysia via the Sadao immigration checkpoint in Songkhla.

Mr Ko has been remanded in custody at the Criminal Court on Ratchadaphisek Road after he was charged with possessing crystal meth and heroin with intent to sell and colluding to commit drug offences.

Police have launched an investigation into possible links to the cartel of Mr Xaysana. Investigators have found, however, that the drug trafficking network has nothing to do with the Xaysana cartel.

Mr Xaysana, who was arrested at Suvarnabhumi airport on Jan 19, is the alleged mastermind behind several drug rackets in Southeast Asia.

Pol Maj Gen Pornchai said the investigators were quickly trying to find other suspects in the trafficking network involving Mr Ko as well as the financiers behind it.

The police were piecing together evidence and witness accounts as they tracked the network's money trail.

Do you like the content of this article?
COMMENT