The Police Cyber Taskforce arrested 23 suspects for selling 22 pistols and 1,000 rounds of ammunition in nationwide raids ahead of the tambon administrative organisation polls next week.
Pol Gen Damrongsak Kittipraphat, deputy national police and director of the Police Cyber Taskforce, said yesterday police nationwide raided 31 targeted locations last week and arrested 23 firearms traffickers selling weapons on social media.
Acting on instructions from national police chief Suwat Jangyodsuk, the officers went in search of firearms at targeted locations.
Also seized along with the firearms and ammunition were a modified BB gun, one explosive item and 9,902 meth pills.
The suspects allegedly admitted the seized items and firearms belonged to them. They told police they bought the firearms for self-protection and as collection items.
Police said the crackdown was meant to pre-empt violence as the local polls take place nationwide on Nov 28.
Pol Gen Damrongsak said BB guns are barred from being sold. If they are modified, they can work with real ammunition.
Police were checking to see if the guns had been modified and whether the suspects were licensed to carry a modified BB gun.
If they carry no permit, they are liable for jail for up to one month, face a maximum fine of 1,000 baht or both.
If the BB guns are modified to be firearms, the owners face 1-10 years in jail and a fine of 2,000-20,000 baht for possessing weapons without permission.