The Crime Suppression Division (CSD) has uncovered a network of drug traffickers who allegedly used a gold shop to launder more than three billion baht of drug money, according to a source in the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB).
The discovery was made after deputy national police chief Pol Gen Suchart Thirasawat ordered the CSD, which works under the CIB, to launch a drug crackdown on 12 locations in Bangkok, Trang, Phangnga and Ranong on Tuesday.
The raids netted 10 alleged members of the so-called Daorueng trafficking network.
A woman called Daorueng Somsaeng allegedly directed the drug trade from behind bars at Bangkok Remand Prison.
The source said the 10 suspects include six women. They denied all charges.
The CSD also sought the prosecution of nine inmates, including Daorueng, serving time in various jails in Bangkok and five other provinces.
They face initial charges of money laundering.
According to the source, the raids were carried out in response to a prior investigation into another case.
Last year, Piyarat Nidkong, a member of the Bang Dee tambon administrative organisation (TAO) in Trang, complained to police that his house had come under attack in February and March.
Mr Piyarat told police he suspected the attack was motivated by his exposure of alleged corruption in the Bang Dee TAO. The CSD later arrested 10 people linked to the attack on Oct 22 last year.
Police also found that one of the suspects, identified as Theeraporn Chumuang, 40, worked as a drug agent for a major network.
He allegedly admitted the network smuggled drugs from a neighbouring country in the North which he supplied to customers in Trang and neighbouring provinces in the South.