DSI Special Case Operation Center Region 9 further arrested members of compressed marijuana smuggling network, 1 tonne of compressed marijuana worth 50 million baht seized

DSI Special Case Operation Center Region 9 further arrested members of compressed marijuana smuggling network, 1 tonne of compressed marijuana worth 50 million baht seized

       As publicized, on Wednesday, October 13, 2021, the Special Case Operation Center Region 9 of the DSI by Pol.Maj. Pipop Marohabout (the Head of the Center) joined forces with local police, namely, the Border Patrol Police Sub-Division 44, the Border Patrol Police Company 447, Narcotics Suppression Division 4 and the Crime Suppression Operation Center, headed by Pol.Lt.Col. Saranwit Teerawech (investigation Inspector, Marine Police Station 2, Sub-Division 7, Marine Police Division/Head of Investigation Operation Team 2, Marine Police Division), to arrest 4  members of the marijuana smuggling network and seize over 10-million-baht worth compressed marijuana, 5 mobile phones and vehicles for transporting goods.

       The Director-General of the DSI, Mr. Triyarith Temahivong ordered the Regional Operation Bureau by its Special Case Operation Center Region 9 to integrate its investigation with police in Pattani Province and the Border Patrol Police to expand the investigation to uncover the mastermind behind the network in accordance with the Justice Minister Mr. Somsak Thepsuthin’s policy of unbroken suppression to seize the properties and discontinue the cycle of dug trade.

       Recently, the officials jointly expanded the investigation and discovered that on October 16, 2021, the same narcotics trading network would smuggle 1,000 kilograms of marijuana without fear of arrest and prosecution, despite its members were previously  arrested for smuggling 200 kilograms of marijuana 3 days befoer. The officials thus jointly planned and deployed forces to inspect smuggling routes of the suspects and detected the forward scouting vehicle passing through the area of Tha Tho, Khuan Lang Subdistrict, Hat Yai District, Songkhla Province. The officials then identified themselves to search and arrest a Black Isuzu pickup truck with Songkhla Province plate and found 2 persons in the truck, namely Mr. Ahamasakri Yeemayee and Mr. Muhammad Tarmisi Salae who are domiciled in Sadao District, Songkhla Province. They informed that the truck is a forward scouting vehicle tasked with leading a 6 wheeler Isuzu truck with Sa Kaeo Province plate carrying a large amount of compressed marijuana following them but fleeing. The officials thus coordinated to track and arrest the said truck at the Kuan Chong PTT gas station near Khlong Wa intersection, Hat Yai District, Songkhla Province. The officials arrested Mr Raya Loyita, who is domiciled in Narathiwat Province, and found 25 bricks of 40 kilograms compressed marijuana each, total weight 1,000 kg, worth over 50 million baht, covered with haystacks on the truck bed. The 3 suspects were taken for questioning at the Border Patrol Police Sub-Division 43, Songkhla Province. The case needs further investigation to uncover the mastermind.

       The DSI commits itself to implement the policies of Justice Minister urging the agencies under the Justice Ministry to speed up the suppression of narcotics related offences and the seizure of properties to discontinue narcotics trade for improving efficiency in prosecution against narcotics related offences that threaten public order and national security. The Director-General has implemented such policy by coordinating on intelligence and joining forces with relevant agencies to prevent and suppress such offences for public order and national security in the future and for creating the pleasant society free of narcotic crime. If people have information or clues of such crime, please contact the DSI via its website www.dsi.go.th or its call center DSI Call Center 1202.

Dated October 17, 2021