NARCOTICS

A former leading member of the notorious Oros drug gang in Thon Buri and seven other alleged associates have been arrested in Nonthaburi.

Eight drug suspects, including a former leading member of the notorious Oros drug ring in Thon Buri, are shown at the Metropolitan Police Bureau yesterday. PATTARAPONG CHATPATTARASILL

Pongthorn Panthong, 23, Duang Srikaeo, 23, Chaiwat Panthong, 18, Pasathorn Thapkaeo, 20, Prawut Panthong, 23, Kittichai Tharacheep, 23, and two teens, aged 15 and 17, were caught during a raid on a house in Nonthaburi's Bang Bua Thong district on Monday.

About 100 speed pills, 19 grammes of crystal methamphetamine, a 9mm pistol and 33 rounds of ammunition were seized.

The suspects were taken before the media at the Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB) yesterday.

Police say they launched the raid after learning that Mr Pongsathorn, alias "Arm Oros", a former leading member of the gang, was still involved in illicit drugs and was hiding in Bang Bua Thong.

Mr Pongsathorn, a former drug convict, was released from jail on March 10 last year.

He had joined the Oros gang but later left due to repeated quarrels with other members.

Pol Maj Gen Chayut Rattana-ubol, chief of the MPB's division 9, said police kept a close eye on the gang after it posted a video clip on the internet of its members taking drugs.

Police found Mr Pongsathorn had later formed a gang called "Khanom Wan" which has been involved in illicit drugs and frequent brawls with other gangs, he said. Police would hunt down members of Mr Pongsathorn's gang and those of the Oros gang, including its co-leaders known only as Tee and Ael Oros.