Alleged triad leader faces three charges, say police

Alleged triad leader faces three charges, say police

Police will press three charges against accused triad leader Yu Xinqi and will blacklist him from entering the country after he serves his sentences in the kingdom, deputy national police chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn said yesterday.

Yu Xinqi: Fighting charges

The charges against Mr Yu include breaching the Computer Act and the Fund Raising Control Act, and establishing an unlicensed association, he said.

The immigration police revoked Mr Yu's visa on Friday. Mr Yu must be prosecuted in Thailand before being extradited to his country and will be permanently banned from entering the Kingdom.

Mr Yu, meanwhile, denied any wrongdoing after police detained him and also raided his house in Sai Mai district as well as his Shanxi Association of Thailand in Soi Sena Nikhom 1 yesterday.

The crackdown started after Move Forward Party MP Rangsiman Rome exposed Mr Yu during a House debate on Wednesday.

Mr Rangsiman claimed Mr Yu runs a shady business network similar to Chinese businessman Chaiyanat "Tuhao" Kornchayanant.

Mr Rangsiman was told by former massage parlour tycoon and politician Chuvit Kamolvisit that the suspect founded the Shanxi Association, located in the jurisdiction of Kan Na Yao police, as a front for triad activity.

The association has not been registered and operates an illegal business school to provide student visas for its members.

It also has connections with high-ranking state officials, according to Mr Rangsiman.

The crackdown was the result of cooperation between the Royal Thai Police, Immigration Bureau (IB) and Kan Na Yao police.

Police also took Mr Yu to his house and his association. The search took about two hours starting at Mr Yu's house where police discovered some documents linked with alleged illegal activities.

They did not, however, find anything suspicious at the association.

Police also took Mr Yu to search his Hyundai car in front of his house, but no further evidence was found.

Responding to a question about his feelings, Mr Yu said in Chinese that he will fully cooperate with the police.

"I will never admit that I'm guilty," Mr Yu told reporters as he was about to be taken back to IB's office in Suan Phlu for detention.

Earlier on Friday night, before immigration police revoked his visa, Mr Yu was detained at the IB's office in Suan Phlu for questioning over his alleged involvement in a shady business network in Thailand.

IB commissioner Pol Lt Gen Pakphumpipat Sajjaphan said Mr Yu was detained under the Immigration Act after police uncovered "inappropriate" dealings regarding his setting up an unlicensed association, effectively an illegal one.

According to investigators, police are now investigating allegations levelled against him to find out whether he is involved in the illicit drug trade or money laundering.

Mr Yu held a retirement visa and he has been in the kingdom for two years.

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