Police seize 21 firearms in Phra Nakhon

Police seize 21 firearms in Phra Nakhon

Relative of suspected drug lord on the run

Police found 21 firearms in a Bangkok house owned by the brother-in-law of suspected drug ring leader Jirat Pensophonwitch, also known as Ek Ouan, in a raid yesterday.

Officers searched the shop house of Thaweesak Purungruangpol, who they believe is involved with money transactions and laundering for Mr Jirat, in Ti Thong Road in Phra Nakhon district at 9am. Mr Jirat was arrested last year with more than 160 million baht in assets seized.

The operation was led by Narcotics Suppression Bureau (NSB) chief Sommai Kongwisaisuk at 18 places believed to be linked with Mr Jirut.

The search at the three-story building found no trace of Mr Thaweesak but showed signs of another man identified as Krisada Purungruangpol, police said.

Officers retrieved two large safe deposit boxes from the house and 21 firearms of various sizes were found inside. They said the weapons were linked to legitimate licences.

Police said the firearms most likely belong to Mr Thaweesak, adding investigations will be carried out to determine whether the suspect obtained them lawfully.

Mr Krisada has been put into custody for questioning.

"The initial information shows Mr Thaweesak likes collecting guns. He is now on the run," Pol Lt Gen Sommai said.

According to the NSB chief, Ek Ouan played an instrumental role in spreading drugs in Bangkok and its vicinity. People in his network hid drug-related money with others to prevent police from tracing it, Pol Lt Gen Sommai said, adding police will step up efforts to seize the syndicate's assets.

The search in other places also found other assets including land deed documents allegedly linked to Mr Jirut's ring, which were seized.

Pol Lt Gen Sommai also spoke about another key drug dealer, Thip-apha Raksaseng, who was arrested in Udon Thani on Monday. He said the female suspect was also linked with Ek Ouan's network, called "Thien A".

She was believed to be involved in the recent smuggling of marijuana and crystal methamphetamine, or ya ice, from Nong Khai to Songkhla, during which the drug transporters were apprehended.

It was part of a series of operations in which officers raided and searched more than 50 venues around the country.

Pol Lt Gen Sommai said Ms Thip-apha underwent plastic surgery to change her appearance to evade arrest. She regularly changed vehicles to be used in transporting drugs, which were hidden under the vehicles' floors. The drug-transporting automobile was also found to have several licence plates to avoid being located, he said.

Citing an investigation, Pol Lt Gen Sommai said Ms Thip-apha's husband, who is a police officer, is also involved with the offences, ranging from transporting drugs to taking care of drug-related assets.

He said Ms Thip-apha's network smuggles narcotics from Laos using vehicles carrying Lao workers who enter Thailand to work.

"The network of Ms Thip-apha focuses on marijuana, but it also stands ready to change the items in line with market demand," Pol Lt Gen Sommai said.

Demand for marijuana in Thailand is rising and one reason is because several countries have decriminalised it, he said.

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