In a stunning display of law enforcement, the police arrested another 30 suspects linked to the suspected criminal enterprise of a fugitive police official, months after he was accused of being a dirty cop.
Raids over three days at 39 locations nationwide netted 30 arrests in the alleged gambling cartel of a police lieutenant colonel who somehow slipped out of the country despite all the attention brought by a former pimp-turned-politician who now styles himself a whistleblower.
a criminal network associated with the notorious “Inspector Sua,” a former officer accused of dabbling in a multi-billion-baht gambling empire. Naturally, this news sent shockwaves through the nation.
The suspects were accused of operating a secret criminal organization, running illegal gambling operations, and conspiring to launder money.
National police chief Damrongsak Kittiprapas said they had been investigating the network since February, not long after former maverick politician turned anti-cannabis crusader Chuwit Kamolvisit began publicly calling out Lt. Col. Wasawat Mukurasakul, aka “Inspector Sua,” as the kingpin of a sprawling online gambling operation, possibly the nation’s largest.
A total of 57 arrests have been made and THB7 billion (US$206 million) worth of assets seized, from large tracts of land and luxury cars to sizable crypto holdings.
But many slipped through the net. Gen. Damrongsak said at least 19 were sipping margaritas somewhere, as well as Wasawat.
The police have been scrutinized for the pace of their investigation and willingness to bring one of their own to justice.
One week ago, Wasawat’s right-hand man died in police custody. The police said he killed himself because he was “stressed.”