Police Bust Wildlife Trafficker & Illegal Gun Pawn Operation

Picture courtesy of Daily News.

Bangkok’s Metropolitan Police Division 191 have arrested a 22-year-old woman for illegally selling protected wildlife online, while also dismantling an underground gun pawn operation in Thonburi.

On 28 August, Pol Lt Gen Siam Boonsom, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, and Pol Maj Gen Worawit Yanajinda, commander of the Special Operations Division, ordered a team led by Pol Col Wasan Thawatchaiwirut, Pol Lt Col Natdanai Bamrungsri and Pol Lt Narongdej Phitakpracha to carry out the sting operation.

Officers arrested Ms Kanthika 22 and Mr Chatree 39, at an apartment complex in Soi Nawamin 155, Bueng Kum district, Bangkok. Seized evidence included a Malayan sun bear cub, a slow loris, a mobile phone and 15,000 baht in cash.

According to police, the suspects had been advertising protected species for sale on Facebook under the name “Chatree Kodkan”. Investigators arranged a controlled purchase of a bear cub for 15,000 baht. When Ms Kanthika delivered the animal beneath the apartment building, officers revealed their identities and made the arrest. A subsequent search of the flat uncovered a baby slow loris.

Both suspects face charges of “trading in protected wildlife without permission” and “possessing protected wildlife without permission” under the Wildlife Preservation and Protection Act of 1992. They have been handed over to investigators at Khok Kram Police Station.

In a separate case, officers from the same division, also arrested Mr Suchart 41, at his home in Soi Suksawat 30, Bang Pakok, Rat Burana district, after uncovering an illegal gun pawn operation. Acting on a court-issued search warrant, police seized six handguns and 179 rounds of ammunition. Checks revealed the firearms were registered to other individuals.

Police say further investigations are under way into both wildlife trafficking and illegal firearms activity, with more arrests possible.

  Adapted by Asean Now from Daily News 2025-08-29