Three-Day Operation Targeting Criminal Network
In a three-day operation, law enforcement authorities arrested 30 people allegedly linked to the criminal network of “Inspector Sua,” a former officer accused of involvement in a multi-billion-baht gambling network. Police and other agencies raided 39 locations across the country, detaining individuals wanted for running a secret organization, gambling operations, and colluding in money laundering.
Significant Progress Against the Network
National police chief Pol Gen Damrongsak Kittiprapas highlighted the substantial progress the police have made in their efforts against the network since February. A total of 57 individuals have been arrested in four operations, with assets worth over seven billion baht seized. These assets include 1,298 rai of land plots, 15 luxury cars worth 52.8 million baht, and digital currencies worth 100 million baht.
Asset Holders and Fugitives
Nineteen individuals implicated in the network are believed to have fled overseas. Warrants have been issued for the arrest of the asset holders, who are key members of the network. The land assets seized include durian orchards in Chanthaburi, a golf course in Kanchanaburi, seaside land plots in Phuket, and a penthouse in Bangkok.
Gambling Operations and Revenue
Pol Col Wiwat Jitsophakul from the Crime Suppression Division revealed that the network linked to “Inspector Sua” was behind one of the country’s largest gambling operations. More than 60 firms are allegedly involved, with seven directly providing gambling services and running online gambling sites. The network’s revenue is estimated to have exceeded 10 billion baht last year. According to Jitsophakul, these companies report no profits but hold massive assets, which corresponds with the information that gambling proceeds are transferred through mule accounts and turned into assets.
International Coordination to Track Down “Inspector Sua”
Pol Lt Gen Jirabhop Bhuridej, the commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), stated that police are closely coordinating with authorities in other countries to track down “Inspector Sua” who has fled overseas. “Inspector Sua,” or Pol Lt Col Wasawat Mukurasakul, was a police officer attached to the public works division under the Office of Logistics of the Royal Thai Police. His alleged involvement in the online gambling network was initially exposed by former massage parlor tycoon Chuvit Kamolvisit.