Speed racer Akarakit Worarojchroendet turned himself in yesterday to police to clear up allegations of involvement in an alleged drug network run by the arrested 42-year-old Lao drug kingpin, Xaysana Keopimpha.
Mr Akarakit, 30, alias Benz Racing, the husband of TV actress Napapa "Patt" Tantrakul, arrived at the Narcotics Suppression Bureau (NSB) along with his lawyer and mother at 3.30pm.
He refused to talk to reporters as he was led by Pol Maj Gen Pornchai Charoenwong, deputy NSB commander, to the second floor of the NSB head office for questioning.
Mr Akarakit was to explain to police the origins of his assets, including a 20-million-baht Lamborghini, after police said they had obtained information linking some of his assets to the Xaysana drug network. Police were still questioning Mr Akararit as the Bangkok Post went to press.
Earlier in the day, Pol Maj Gen Pornchai said that police had found that Mr Akarakit had put up several luxury cars and big bikes for sale late last year.
Pol Maj Gen Pornchai urged those who bought the vehicles from Mr Akarakit to come forward with information. Investigators also found that Mr Akarakit had known Natthaphol Nakkham, alias "Boy", for three years.
Mr Natthaphol, who was arrested on Wednesday in connection with the Xaysana drug network, told police that the Lamborghini belongs to the drug network but was left in Mr Akarakit's care, according to Pol Lt Col Arnanchak Kanoknoppawat, deputy chief of the NSB's Division 1.
He said that police will expand the investigation to find out whether more of Mr Akarakit's assets are linked to the network.
Pol Maj Gen Pornchai said that police also have information linking several celebrities to the drug network, adding that investigations are under way to seek more evidence.
He also said that the NSB is preparing to launch an anti-drug operation, code-named "Chaiya Sayob Phairi 60/3", in March. Officials are currently gathering evidence to seek search warrants to track down assets linked to the Xaysana drug network, and warrants for the arrest of other high-level members of the drug network who are still on the run.
Police also seized a KTM 1290 Super Duke motorbike about 7pm on Thursday after someone alerted them that the motorcycle was parked on Ram Intra Road.
The Lamborghini and the motorcycle yesterday were moved to the NSB's car park for a DNA and fingerprint examination by forensic officers.
Pol Col Kritsana Pattancharoen, deputy spokesman for the Royal Thai Police, said yesterday that police are expanding their probe into the Xaysana drug network by seeking cooperation from other countries.
The officer also said that anyone who is found to have been involved in the drug network -- whether they are celebrities or hi-so types -- will be prosecuted without exception. Actress Patt, meanwhile, posted a clip on Facebook and Instagram, along with a caption reading, "The moral support is here."
On Thursday, a combined team of more than 450 NSB and Anti-Money Laundering Office (Amlo) officials raided 15 spots in Bangkok and 25 others in other provinces, tracking down assets supposedly linked to the alleged drug lord.
Among the 15 spots raided was a six-storey apartment on Soi Inthamara 51 in Din Daeng district of Bangkok called Area 51, which doubles as a home and shop selling auto accessories. It is owned by Mr Akarakit.
Police found nothing illegal during the six-hour search, and neither did they find a 20-million-baht Lamborghini they were looking for. The car was later found at a garage in the Ram Intra area on Thursday.
A temporary red plate, Tor 5555 Bangkok, was found, but not the car. Two pistols, one with a licence and the other without, were seized, along with about 15 bullets. Other items seized for inspection included six motorcycles. A motorcycle licence plate, 4 Kor Sor 6071 Bangkok, owned by Mr Natthaphol, was also seized.
Police said CCTV footage at the house showed the Lamborghini was driven away by an unidentified man at 9pm on Wednesday, while Mr Akarakit was seen leaving the apartment on a motorcycle at about 1am yesterday.
Pol Lt Gen Sommai Kongwisaisuk, chief of the NSB, said Mr Natthaphol told police Mr Akarakit is trusted by the Xaysana gang to take care of its assets. If Mr Akarakit can prove his legal ownership of the Lamborghini and other assets, they will be returned to him.
Sirinya Sidthichai, secretary-general of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board, said officials do not have sufficient evidence to prove Mr Akarakit is connected to the drug network.
However, if he is later proved to be the caretaker of the gang's assets, Mr Akarakit will likely face charges of colluding with the network, said Pol Lt Gen Sommai. At this point, he said, ownership of the Lamborghini had been legally transferred to Mr Akarakit.
Police arrested Mr Xaysana at Suvarnabhumi airport on Jan 19 when he arrived on a flight from Phuket. They believe he is an influential person behind at least three major drug cases in which Malaysians were arrested travelling south with crystal methamphetamine to be smuggled into Malaysia.
Police said Mr Xaysana runs about 100 drug networks throughout the region.