MARINE Police who capture the three oil-smuggling boats initially sent word that the over 330,000 litres of contraband oil is now missing with only six to seven crew members of approximately 20 who escaped from the Sattahip pier last Tuesday (June 11) being aboard, Amarin TV said today (June 17).
The three large boats are due to arrive at Marine Police pier at southern Songkhla city today after the remaining crew sent word they were in the Gulf of Thailand near Malaysian waters and wanted to surrender and return the boats.
This is expected to be delayed because of strong winds and waves last night with one of the boats having broken down and had to be towed.
Earlier one of the crew members, identified as “Nai Lek”, who was supposed to have escaped along with the crews of the three boats but got left behind because he got drunk and fell asleep tipped off police on the escape plan.
He said “Joe Pattani”, a big oil smuggling racketeer in southern Thailand, who has escaped was in Cambodia and ordered that the three oil-smuggling boats be brought there.
However since they were found floating in the waters near Songkhla, it is now believed it was misinformation aimed at confusing police.
Marine Police now think over 330,000 litres of contraband oil worth 10 million baht carried by the three escaped boats, which are registered in Pattani and belong to “Joe Pattani”, was sold to fishing boats in international waters.
It is still not known who bought the oil and who was the mastermind behind the three boats sailing away from Sattahip pier.
It was reported that the three boats first sailed for Koh Kood, Trat, then Cambodia and onward to Vietnam then headed down to Malaysia.
The area in the international waters where the oil was transferred to other vessels is still unclear with the boats captured after arriving in Thai-Malaysian waters.
The crew used their experience and maps in sailing for days after escaping from Sattahip.
Police are getting ready to inspect the three boats once they moor at Sattahip pier with material evidence and DNA to be collected. The remaining crew will be interrogated to find out all those who were involved in this daring escape.
It is expected that some oil still remains on the boats and this will be checked as to whether it is the same lot as earlier seized.
CAPTION:
The oil-smuggling boats captured in the waters near Songkhla. Photos: Amarin TV
Also read: Missing oil-smuggling boats returning to Songkhla tomorrow: Police
A lot of movement at pier before 3 oil-smuggling boats disappeared
3 missing oil-smuggling boats heading for Trat then neighbouring waters
PM infected with Covid-19, returning to work on Wednesday
Thammanat shrugs off strained ties between Pheu Thai and Palang Pracharath
Court proceedings on lese majeste case against Thaksin might be put off again
Analysis: Of a slap-and-kiss relationship
3,000 candidates reach national-level senatorial election
