The Criminal Court on Wednesday agreed to detain Rerngsak Saknarongdech, one of five civilians implicated in the crime network headed by former Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) chief Pongpat Chayapan, for another 12 days.
Mr Rerngsak, 57, is accused of possessing the carcasses of several protected species of animals and processed woods, along with a large quantity of other assets belonging to Pol Lt Gen Pongpat and his accomplices.
Pol Lt Col Weerawut Bumroongsak of the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression Division asked the court to reject the suspect’s bail request, saying he posed a flight risk and further investigation was needed. The court approved his request.
Military personnel and police officers searched Sawong Apartment in Pak Kret district of Nonthaburi owned by Mr Rerngsak last week and found seven items of carved ivory, the carcass of a sea turtle, deer antlers and two sets of gaur horns. The co-owner of the apartment was Sawong Mungthiang who faces the same charges.
Pol Lt Gen Pongpat and 11 other suspects — six police officers and five civilians — are accused of receiving bribes in exchange for transferring or promoting police officers, demanding money from oil smuggling gangs, making money from gambling businesses, laundering money and citing the monarchy as a way to gain benefits.
Only two of the 12 — CIB deputy chief Pol Maj Gen Kowit Wongrungruang and his wife Sudathip — have been granted bail. The couple face charges of deforestation and forest encroachment.
- Earlier report: Somyot denies more arrest warrants imminent
National police chief Somyot Pumpunmuang on Wednesday said the investigation into Pol Lt Gen Pongpat’s group is continuing. If more warrants are to be issued, police will disclose the information.