POLICE SEIZE ASSETS OF ABSCONDING SUSPECT

Anti-narcotics officials and police yesterday confiscated assets of a drug
suspect wanted in connection with the seizure of 1.1 million speed pills.

Authorities went to Tor Fishing Park in Mae Sai district owned by Somsak
Panjakhan, a relative of Pol Sgt Maj Banleng Panjakan who was recently
arrested for trafficking 1.1 million speed pills.

Seized from Mr Somsak's premises were 2,000 pieces of processed wood and
other construction materials, and equipment worth about one million baht.

Police have already seized 15 cars, including a Mercedes Benz, a BMW, a
Chevrolet van, a Toyota Cruiser, four-wheel-drive pick-up trucks and nine
motorcycles.

The confiscation was ordered by the Office of Narcotics Control Board after
it was found out that the former police officer and his two alleged
accomplices including Mr Somsak had assets of 100 million baht.

Mr Somsak and Srithong Noyalad, 46, who were still at large, were
identified by the former policeman.

He was arrested with methamphetamines and 40kg of ephedrine, a precursor
for the production of speed pills, in his possession.

An anti-narcotics official said yesterday that Pol Sgt Maj Banleng was on
the police blacklist and believed to have trafficked in drugs for more than
five years.

Meanwhile, Pol Maj-Gen Somkid Boonthanom, the provincial police chief, said
he would discuss with concerned authorities on how to effectively enforce
the anti-money laundering law against suspects. He said investigators had
been told to make sure the evidence was solid to secure a conviction.