NAKHON SI THAMMARAT — Two men, including an alleged drug trafficking kingpin, have been arrested and numerous firearms seized during two separate raids that failed to turn up any drugs.
The first suspect, Kanpit or Suthep Thongsamor, alias "Piak Don Tor", 54, was apprehended at his house in tambon Don Tor of Chalerm Prakiat district in this southern province.
Seized were a Remington rifle, a gunstock, 185 rounds of 7.62 ammunition, a .22 rifle with 80 rounds of ammunition, 18 rounds of 5.56 ammunition, a bulletproof vest, three gun bipods and a PVC pipe designed to contain a rifle and bullets.
Mr Kanpit was taken to a police news conference on Saturday along with Wiriya Ninrat, 41, who was arrested in Phrommakhiri district. Seized from Mr Wiriya’s house was one shotgun along with three bullets.
Pol Maj Gen Wanchai Ek-pornpit, chief of the Nakhon Si Thammarat police, said Mr Kanpit was alleged to be a key member of a major drug trafficking ring and had been under close watch. Police found no illicit drugs when they searched his house but found many war weapons instead.
Police said Mr Kanpit claimed the weapons were for self-defence as he ran a money-lending business. He also confessed that the weapons were used to intimidate people who refused to pay off their debts.
Mr Wiriya had recently been released from jail after serving time for attempted murder, police said.