A combined task force has raided the house of a suspected member of alleged Lao drug kingpin Xaysana Keopimpha's network and seized several vehicles for examination, including two luxury cars.
It was one of a series of raids on Tuesday morning on properties in eight provinces in the South, Bangkok and Northeast.
Led by Narcotics Suppression Bureau police, the officials on Tuesday morning searched the house of Ratchapol Ratsapolpakorn in Muang district of Udon Thani for evidence linking him to the drug cartel.
The raid was carried out after a warrant was issued for his arrest in connection with the drug ring operated by Mr Xaysana.
Mr Ratchapol was apprehended on Monday night at a nightspot in Udon Thani and taken to his house during the raid.
He is suspected of laundering money for Mr Xaysana and Lao celebrity Sisouk Daoheuang, who was recently arrested by Lao authorities for alleged drug links.
NSB commissioner Pol Lt Gen Sommai Kongwisaisuk said a Bentley and a Ferrari were seized for investigation of possible money laundering.
The suspect has documents to prove his ownership of the two cars, he said.
The suspect admitted he knew Mr Xaysana and Mr Sisouk, but denied any involvement in the drug trade.
A source close to the investigation said the Bentley and Ferrari, worth more than 20 million baht, were purchased recently with cash.
The officials also seized other cars in the garage. Several of them are owned by the suspect’s father, Somboon Thanachotpornsakul.
Also seized is a three-story building, a residence of his family.
The source said police have information suggesting the suspect has been managing the assets for Mr Xaysana. An initial investigation showed he has no permanent job or source of income.
Mr Ratchapol allegedly transferred more than 90 million baht to Mr Sisouk as part of a money laundering scheme.
According to Pol Lt Gen Sommai, the network is allegedly involved in illegal logging activities.
Mr Ratchapol, alias Kim Leng, 30, and a Lao suspect, Eia “Ek’’ Mingchai, 22, were taken to the 24th Border Patrol Police sub-division in Udon Thani on Tuesday for further questioning.
Mr Eia, also wanted for alleged involvement in the drug cartel, was caught while crossing the border into Thailand in Mukdahan province on Tuesday.
At a media briefing, Pol Gen Somkiart Srivorakhan, deputy national police chief, said police teams on Tuesday had carried out raids on 31 locations in the three southern provinces of Yala, Narathiwat and Pattani (5 locations), Bangkok (4 locations), and the four northeastern provinces of Nong Khai, Khon Kaen, Roi Et and Udon Thani (22 locations).
Three more suspects were also arrested, said Pol Gen Somkiart, but did not say where.
Twenty-six items worth over 100 million baht were seized from Mr Ratchapol. They included 10 cars, including a 17 million baht Bentley and a 7 million baht Porsche, two land plots worth 25 million baht and other assets, including bank accounts and financial documents about the fuel trade, the deputy national police chief said.
Ratchapol Ratsapolpakorn, 30, a suspected member of alleged Lao drug kingpin Xaysana Keopimpha's network, under arrest in Udon Thani. (Photo by Yutthapong Kamnodnae)