Officials have arrested five drug suspects and seized their assets worth 65 million baht in a crackdown on a major drug ring secretly run by convicts from jails in Rayong and Ratchaburi.
The arrests were part of the latest anti-drug operation led by the Office of Narcotics Control Board which is strengthening efforts to root out gangs and networks of drug suspects in the North, the Central Plains and the East, ONCB secretary-general Sirinya Sitdhichai said yesterday.
The ONCB, which joined forces with Provincial Police Regions 2 and 5 and the military's Pa Muang task force in the North, found the five suspects during large-scale raids conducted in nine target areas in Chon Buri, Samut Prakan and Chiang Rai.
Investigators identified three male suspects -- Phairat Sakunphueak, Somchai Chansap and Chakhue Kaosi -- and two women -- Suwali Khirrayakun and Nasu Lisa.
The seized assets, a considerable amount given the amounts come from one operation, include nine houses, four plots of land, 10 cars, 11 motorcycles, two guns, nine bank accounts, gold bullion and ornaments valued at 1.6 million baht and cash worth 1.8 million baht. The assets are estimated to be worth at least 65 million baht.
The five suspects were nabbed, thanks to an earlier ONCB operation in which 10 drug suspects were rounded up and their assets, worth 20 million baht, impounded, Mr Sirinya said.
The 10 suspects are believed to have connections with the five drug suspects who allegedly colluded with an inmate in Rayong central prison.
