Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

A 29-year-old man, known by the alias “Owen” in homage to Liverpool FC legend Michael Owen, has been arrested in Chonburi province after attempting to illegally sell a firearm online to fund a celebration of Liverpool’s Premier League title win.

 

At 11:00 on 28 May, The Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) held a press conference announcing the arrest of Mr. Suliphon, a Laotian national, who was found in possession of a converted .380 calibre handgun, seven rounds of ammunition and a magazine.

 

The arrest was led by senior officers including Police Lieutenant General Trirong Phiwphan and Police Major General Sirawat Deepor, as part of an ongoing operation to dismantle illegal firearms networks operating through social media platforms.

 

Officers from the Special Intelligence and Cyber Tools Division had discovered an active illegal weapons trade within a Facebook group boasting over 20,000 members. An undercover officer contacted a seller using the Facebook alias “Oven Ven” and arranged to purchase a handgun for 18,000 baht. The transaction was set to take place near a temple in Bo Thong district, Chonburi.

 

At the appointed time, police intercepted a man on a motorcycle at the rendezvous point. A search revealed the weapon and ammunition. The suspect, later identified as Mr. Suliphon, admitted that the firearm was his and that he had been involved in buying and reselling weapons online for profit. He claimed to earn between 3,000 and 5,000 baht per gun.

 

He further stated that he had bought the seized weapon for 15,000 baht and intended to sell it at a profit. He also confessed that he had adopted the nickname “Owen” out of admiration for the former Liverpool striker Michael Owen. He planned to use the proceeds from the sale to buy beer to celebrate Liverpool’s recent Premier League triumph.

 

Police have charged him with illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition without a permit, as well as carrying a firearm in public without authorisation. The suspect has been handed over to local investigators for further legal proceedings, and authorities are expanding their investigation to trace the origin of the weapon and identify others involved in the trafficking network.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khaosod 2025-05-29.

 

 

 

Police have charged him with illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition without a permit, as well as carrying a firearm in public without authorisation

 

Should also add for 'being a Liverpool fan' 😎