Cops arrest 171 drug gang suspects

Cops arrest 171 drug gang suspects

Raids target 'Every Pill is Fun' members

Khon Kaen Police rounded up 171 suspects linked with the Mun Thuk Med (Every Pill is Fun) drug gang during recent raids in 12 provinces in the upper Northeast.

The gang has been in the spotlight after its alleged leader, Pannawit Prathum, was accused of ordering the murder of Kurusart Srikhunliew, 17, who was beaten to death by a group of teenagers at a school in Khon Kaen's Muang district on Jan 14. The killing took place after Kurusart reportedly refused to pay for drugs he bought.

Mr Pannawit, aka "Thep Solo", is said to be hiding in Myanmar.

Speaking at a news conference about the recent raids, Provincial Police Region 4 chief Pol Lt Gen Surachai Kuandachacupt said that police have arrested six individuals who attacked Kurusart and had widened their probe into those linked with the crime, including those who hired the killers.

Police found they were part of the Mun Thuk Med drug syndicate in which drugs were traded online. Following the suppression of the syndicate, some members formed new gangs, including the "Only Move Forward, No Indicators Needed" group.

"Once officers had worked together and determined those linked with the network, they carried out raids in 12 provinces in the upper Northeast," said Pol Lt Gen Surachai.

According to him, 171 online drug traders associated with the network had been nabbed along with 155,995 speed pills, 495 kilogrammes of cannabis resin, 5 grammes of crystal meth and 12 firearms.

About 2 million baht worth of assets, including a house, a land title deed, three bank accounts and two motorcycles, were also seized during the operations.

These suspects were arrested in Khon Kaen, Roi Et, Maha Sarakham, Udon Thani and Kalasin. Three of them -- Khon Kaen residents -- were found to be the leaders of "Only Move Forward, No Indicators Needed" and their assets have been seized, according to Pol Lt Gen Surachai.

Referring to the Mun Thuk Med drug syndicate, Pol Lt Gen Surachai said the four leaders of the gang are believed to be holed up in Myanmar.

They consist of Mr Pannawit, 30, Chatchai Pimbut, 28, Chanchai Pimbut, 29, and Suwit Intasorn, 42.

Police have no information as to whether the four were among the 81 Thai nationals arrested by Myanmar officials near the border with Chiang Rai on Sunday for allegedly entering the country unlawfully, Pol Lt Gen Surachai said

He said Thai officials were still trying to establish the identities of those who were arrested.

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