The Department of Special Investigation has seized ore worth 250 million baht from a company in Chiang Mai found to have links with Supachai Srisuppa-aksorn, a key suspect in the 12-billion-baht embezzlement scandal of the Klongchan Credit Union Cooperative (KCUC).
Pol Lt Col Pakorn Sucheevakul, director of the DSI’s Bureau of Financial and Banking Crime, on Friday went to tambon Sanpong in Mae Rim district of this northern province to seize seven containers of lapis lazuli ore.
The DSI had sought a court warrant to seize the ore, worth 250 million baht, after obtaining evidence that money taken from the cooperative had been used to purchase the ore.
DSI investigators had earlier inspected the ore in March this year and asked its owner to produce evidence about the imports of the ore. However, no evidence had been provided.
The containers were kept in the compound of a house in tambon Sanpong. House owner Pathumporn Butsri was not present, but her lawer told the DSI that his client was willing to cooperate.
A DSI source said lapis lazuli would be extracted and turned into gemstones for ornaments and amulets. Although it is not prohibited ore, the DSI had to examine the imports and money trail.
The DSI had obtained initial evidence that money used to buy the ore was linked to the KCUC as the ore was found to belong to Anantasila Baramee Co, which obtained a loan from the cooperative. The firm is owned by Pakamas Chaisongkhram, who is close to the former KCUC chairman.
Pol Lt Col Pakorn said Anantasila Baramee Co was one of 28 debtors of the KCUC. The company had signed a contract to seek 354.5 million baht from the cooperative on Dec 28, 2010. It had so far paid 500,000 baht to the cooperative and still owed 354 million baht to it.
Under the loan contract, Ms Pakamas and Wanchai Chaisongkram signed their names as recipients of the loan, approved by Mr Supachai.
The DSI found the company was registered on July 2010 with 10 million baht in capital. Its business was producing and possessing marble. Ms Pakamas served as the managing director and major shareholder, while Mr Supachai and Mr Wanchai were company executives and shareholders.
Pol Lt Col Pakorn said the seized ore would be kept at Dararasmee border patrol police camp. Further evidence would be forwarded to public prosecutors, he added.