Highway Patrol arrests foreign smuggling gang

[webfact]

 

The Highway Patrol has arrested a foreign smuggling gang that managed to break through checkpoints but didn't manage to evade arrest in Nakhon Pathom.

 

The Highway Patrol intercepted 15 vans smuggling illegal immigrants from Myanmar that were speeding through police checkpoints. However, they were eventually caught. The arrest took place on Highway 3422 in Bua Pak Tha Subdistrict, Bang Len District, Nakhon Pathom Province. These vans were traced back to Mae Tho Subdistrict, Mueang District, Tak Province, and were then transported to Nonthaburi.

 

The individuals involved were subsequently taken to the Bang Luang Police Station for prosecution, reported Thai Rath.

 

On August 11, 2023, Pol. Maj. Gen. Jaroonkiat Pankaew, the Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Police, directed Pol. Col. Satawat Boonmee and Superintendent 1 Lt. Col. Papinwit Udomporn to oversee the operation.

 

During the operation, they apprehended Mr. Suriya Sae Ma, 23, who was driving a gray Suzuki van with the registration number 5792. This vehicle had a fake registration indicating it was from Nakhon Sawan.

 

Additionally, 15 Myanmar migrant workers were detained at the scene, which was around km 1, Moo 10, Highway 3422, Bua Pak Tha Subdistrict, Bang Len District, Nakhon Pathom Province.

 

The police discovered the smuggling attempt when they noticed that the suspect's vehicle appeared unusually heavy. They attempted to signal the vehicle to stop, but the driver accelerated and attempted to flee through a narrow alley.

 

Picture: Thai Rath

 

The police pursued the vehicle and successfully intercepted it at km 1, Moo 10, Highway 3422, Bua Pak Tha Subdistrict, Bang Len District, Nakhon Pathom Province. Upon inspection, they found Mr. Suriya as the driver and 15 illegal immigrants inside the van.

 

During the investigation, Mr. Suriya confessed to being hired by a Myanmar man to transport 15 illegal immigrants from a forested area near the road in Mae Tho Subdistrict, Mueang Tak District.

 

His task was to deliver them to Nonthaburi Province, for which he was paid 1,500 baht per person. He also admitted that he had switched license plates on his truck multiple times while driving, in an attempt to deceive law enforcement officers.

 

All of the Myanmar nationals admitted to entering the country through natural routes and walking across the Mae Sot District area in Tak Province. They would then be picked up by the truck for the rest of the journey, paying an agent 20,000 baht per person.

 

Based on the preliminary allegations, Mr. Suriya is being charged with various offenses, including assisting aliens to enter and stay in the Kingdom without permission, as well as disregarding safety, disobeying official orders, and misusing registration plates.

 

The foreign workers are also facing charges for entering and staying in the Kingdom without permission. They have been sent to the Bang Luang Police Station in Nakhon Pathom Province for further legal proceedings.

 

TOP Picture: Thai Rath

 

-- © Copyright  ASEAN NOW 2023-08-12

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

Get your business in front of millions of customers who read ASEAN NOW with an interest in Thailand every month - email [email protected] for more information

 

[watchcat]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

They would then be picked up by the truck for the rest of the journey, paying an agent 20,000 baht per person.

Have they apprehended this 'agent' ?  I don't think so, they never do.

[Deli]

And the BiB's have a  party with 15 x 1500 Baht