THE Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) arrested the ringleader of a drug gang transporting methamphetamine from the North for distribution to networks in the South after two drug mules identified him, TV Channel 7 said today (Sep. 12).
Apprehended at Bang Kaeo railway station in southern Phattalung province after completing a pilgrimage to this and neighbouring Satun province to return to Pathum Thani adjoining Bangkok was Mr. Sompong (surname withheld), aka Bang, 55, under a Phrae Provincial Court warrant for “jointly distributing and possessing for distribution Category 1 narcotics (methamphetamine)” and “conspiring — in a group of two or more — to commit serious drug-related offences characteristic of organised crime and subsequently committing such offences as a result of that conspiracy.”
This followed the arrest of five members of a drug smuggling ring and seizure of three sacks containing 596,000 meth pills on June 6 this year.
Two of the suspects, identified as Mr. A and Mr. B, revealed that they had been contacted by Sompong to transport drugs for payment of several hundred thousand baht.
Sompong had instructed them to travel to Chiang Mai and upon arriving there, a co-conspirator named Mr. Sod called and directed them to the spot where a sedan used for transporting the drug was parked.
At the rendezvous point, they found a pickup truck parked near the sedan with four men transferring three sacks of meth to the sedan’s trunk. They then drove the vehicle South along the route specified by Sod until they were arrested with the illicit cargo.
Police subsequently expanded the investigation, identifying others involved in the drug trafficking and obtained an arrest warrant for Sompong who was then arrested at this railway station. However, the suspect denied all charges.
CAPTION:
Top and Front Page: Pixelated image of Mr. Sompong, the suspected ringleader of North-to-South meth trafficking gang. Photo – TV Channel 7
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