Four of nine policemen linked to the CIB graft scandal and wanted on arrest warrants for allegedly receiving bribes from an online gambling network have reported to arresting authorities.
Three of the four, who are from the Crime Suppression Division (CSD), met Pol Col Niphon Chareonsilp, acting chief of Phaholyothin police station on Sunday morning after Pol Col Sombat Milinthajinda, investigative chief of the Metropolitan Police Bureau gave the nine suspects a deadline of Monday to surrender or face arrest.
They are Pol Lt Col Wattana Polngandee, a CSD inspector, Pol Maj Apisit Mekprayoon, a CSD inspector for special operations, and Pol Capt Nithipat Kangruambutr, CSD deputy inspector for special operations. Pol Capt Sakarin Kesornthian, a deputy inspector at the Anti-Human Trafficking Division, surrendered later in the day.
Their families are reportedly preparing to pledge assets worth 600,000 baht each as bail.
The group has been accused of receiving bribes in the Abubakar bin Sulaiman case involving an online football gambling network linked with disgraced former Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) chief Pol Lt Gen Pongpat Chayapan. They are expected to be suspended from duty early this week as the on-going investigation in the case seeks more people involved in the racket.
The other five suspects are Pol Col Watcharapol Thongluan, a CSD superintendent; Pol Col Athip Thaennil, a CSD special operations superintendent; Pol Lt Col Pipat Chawengrat, an inspector at the Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD); Pol Maj Chakkrapan Leelananthawong, a CSD inspector; and Pol Col Supat Lim-im, a TCSD superintendent.