Authorities are closely monitoring at least 55 more major drug networks with an estimated combined cash flow of 50 billion baht, following crackdowns on five key drug rings found to have had more than 5 billion baht in combined cash flow.
The figure was based on the fact that, on average, each large drug network has about 100 million baht passing through it, said Justice Minister Somsak Thepsutin.
He was speaking one month after an operation centre was set up to specifically to track and seize assets held by parties associated with drug gangs which had led to five drug rings and their money.
Pol Maj Gen Phonchai Charoenwong, deputy chief of the Narcotics Suppression Bureau, yesterday said drug rings with production bases outside the country were starting to feel the pressure.
However, the centre is still going after the 55 other suspected large networks.
The first ring busted was controlled by Adisak Thaithae and some other suspects whose assets worth 2 million baht in total had already been seized, while about 3 to 5 million baht in a number of bank accounts was pending confiscation, said Mr Somsak.
The second drug network busted was led by Sitthichai Krakawi and had handled up to 3.3 billion baht in cash using at least 100 bank accounts last year, according to Mr Somsak.
A group led by Atthaphon Kholae last year alone handled transactions through 285 bank accounts totalling 1.7 billion baht, said the minister.
The other groups are those led by Somkiat Payabun, a drug dealer in the North with assets worth about 45 million baht, and a ring headed by Chang Sue, a drug dealer found to be linked with a major dealer who was arrested by the authorities previously.
