Lampang police officer sacked over 'ice'

Lampang police officer sacked over 'ice'

Arrest follows complaints by tenants of Bangkok building where investigator was staying

The Ban Euam police station in Lampang where Pol Maj Achan Nantrakul worked. (Photo from Ban Euam police station)
The Ban Euam police station in Lampang where Pol Maj Achan Nantrakul worked. (Photo from Ban Euam police station)

The chief investigator of the Ban Euam police station in Lampang province has been dismissed from the force after being found in possession of crystal methamphetamine or “ice”.

Pol Maj Achan Nantrakul is now being investigated by Provincial Police Region 5 for serious disciplinary violations, deputy police spokesman Pol Col Krissana Pattanacharoen said on Saturday.

Pol Maj Achan was the chief investigator at the Ban Euam station in Muang district of the northern province. But he was arrested in Bangkok, where he had gone on leave to borrow money from the Police Savings Cooperatives.

While in the capital, he was staying at a flat in Bang Kholaem district. Police visited the building on Friday after tenants complained to the Wat Phraya Krai station about loud noises coming from the man’s room. A search of his room later found 1.55 grammes of ya ice in two bags, along with sedatives and anti-depressants. The medicine was prescribed by Suan Prung Psychiatric Hospital in Chiang Mai.

Wat Phraya Krai police had to calm the suspect down before they could question him, Jor Sor 100 reported. He was charged for possessing crystal meth and was sent for detention at the South Bangkok Criminal Court on Saturday.

Pol Maj Achan had been treated for depression at Suan Prung Psychiatric Hospital and he did not have a bad record, investigators said.

The police deputy spokesman said police chief Pol Gen Chakthip Chaijinda also ordered an investigation of the officer’s superiors for failing to supervise him adequately.

An Mcot Twitter post shows Pol Maj Achan Nantrakul being interrogated at the Wat Phraya Krai police station in Bangkok, near where he had been staying while on a trip from Lampang.

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