Task force raid nets illegal weapons haul

1,000 hit province in choppers, 48 vehicles

A large haul of illegal weapons was seized yesterday in raids on influential figures in 80 locations throughout Nakhon Si Thammarat province.

About 1,000 combined forces of the Crime Suppression Division (CSD) and Provincial Police Region 8 were transported by two police helicopters and 48 vehicles to crack down on the homes of influential persons, hired gunmen, local politicians and local government leaders in the province.

A total of 21 handguns, 13 shotguns, a MP5 machine gun, 1,041 bullets, 265 methamphetamine pills and 3.2 grammes of the kratom narcotic plant were confiscated in the raid.

The forces were divided into 80 teams to raid Pak Phanang, Cha-uat, Thung Song, Chian Yai, Nop Phi Tham, Tha Sala, Phipun, Muang, Ron Phibun and Chulabhorn districts.

Some of the influential figures targeted by authorities were: Somboon Choomthong or Kamnan Boon in Cha-uat district, Kanueng Inkhiri or Kamnan Nueng in Na Bon district, Kwanchai Rodmanee, Yutthana Rodmanee and Ittichai Rodmanee in Pak Phanang district, Sahat Suwanmanee in Chawang district and Charoen Chinwong or Kamnan Yao in Pak Phanang district.

Houses raided included the houses of Kawee Sriwisut, village chief of tambon Hua Taphan i n Tha Sala, Preecha Ratchapradit or Kamnan Cha in Nop Phi Tham, Kraisit Wongsakul or Kamnan Pan in Phipun, Thaweeyot Petwong in Muang, Chavalit Charoenphong in Thung Song and Charan Sengeiat.

Among the suspects, Mr Somboon is a brother of Mr Kriengkrai who was one of the four men shot dead on Feb 22 at Ban Don Tanot School in Chian Yai district, causing conflict between two rival mafia groups.

All suspects were arrested shortly after the murder.

The operation was conducted in response to the policy of national police chief Pol Gen Somyot Pumpanmuang which aims to root out illegal weapons used in Nakhon Si Thammarat.

Pol Maj Gen Paween Pongsirin, deputy commissioner of Provincial Police Region 8, said the seized firearms will be investigated to find if they have been used to commit crimes in Nakhon Si Thammarat and other provinces.

Anyone who used illegal weapons for illegal activities will be arrested and prosecuted, he said.

Pol Col Akkaradet Pimolsri, commander of the CSD, said the division is ready to work with local police to arrest influential criminals.

“They will be arrested if they do not stop their illegal activities. From now on, if illegal weapons are used to commit crimes, the CSD will co-operate with local authorities in suppression,” Pol Col Akkaradet said.

All suspects co-operated with authorities during the raid, he said, in which firearms and ammunition — both with and without licences — were seized.

All weapons will be recorded, examined and cross-checked with each suspect’s criminal record.

So far, no arrest warrant has been issued. But if police later find the seized weapons were used in crimes, the suspects will be summoned by police.

Meanwhile, police urged Mr Kwanchai — a son of Mr Yuean Rodmanee, a member of the Provincial Administrative Organisation who is on a police wanted list for a weapons charge — to persuade his father to turn himself in to police over the next two weeks.

Police believe Mr Yuean is behind several murders in the province.

Nakhon Si Thammarat has an unusually high crime rate and many of the crimes have involved illegal weapons, police said.